"I may tell master, then, that you'm both willing and agreeable?"
"Certainly you may; and when things is forwarder, David will put his prospects afore Bartholomew Stanbury all straight and clear."
"'Tis a very great match for any daughter of mine, and I hope she'll rise worthy of it."
"Don't be downcast, my dear," said Sarah. "Margaret's as good as gold, and lucky the man that gets her, though my own son."
"You speak too kind, I'm sure--both of 'e," declared Mrs. Stanbury; then she departed and her neighbours discussed her.
"Never seed the like of that woman for crying 'stinking fish,'" said Mr. Bowden; and his wife admitted it.
"She do make the worst of herself and her belongings without a doubt; but a good sort and better far than the puffed-up people."
"Seems to go in fear whether she ought to be alive--eh?"
"Yes, you might say so."
Elias uttered one of his sudden chuckles.