‘How should I but think of her, brother, living as she does with you in Mumper’s dingle, and travelling about with you; you will have, brother, more difficulty to manage her, than Jasper has to manage my sister Pakomovna. I should have mentioned her before, only I wanted to know what you had to say to me; and when we got into discourse, I forgot her. I say, brother, let me tell you your dukkerin, with respect to her, you will never—’
‘I want to hear no dukkerin, Ursula.’
‘Do let me tell you your dukkerin, brother, you will never manage—’
‘I want to hear no dukkerin, Ursula, in connection with Isopel Berners. Moreover, it is Sunday, we will change the subject; it is surprising to me that, after all you have undergone, you should still look so beautiful. I suppose you do not think of marrying again, Ursula?’
‘No, brother, one husband at a time is quite enough
for any reasonable mort; especially such a good husband as I have got.’
‘Such a good husband! why, I thought you told me your husband was drowned?’
‘Yes, brother, my first husband was.’
‘And have you a second?’
‘To be sure, brother.’