"I'll tell you what, Joseph," said Uncle Jaw, "I'll tell you what, now: I hear 'em tell that you've took and courted that 'ere Susan Jones. Now, I jest want to know if it's true."
There was an explicitness about this mode of inquiry that took our hero quite by surprise, so that he could only reply,—
"Why, sir, supposing I had, would there be any objection to it in your mind?"
"Don't talk to me," said Uncle Jaw. "I jest want to know if it's true."
Our hero put his hands in his pockets, walked to the window, and whistled.
"'Cause if you have," said Uncle Jaw, "you may jest un-court as fast as you can; for 'Squire Jones's daughter won't get a single cent of my money, I can tell you that."
"Why, father, Susan Jones is not to blame for any thing that her father did; and I'm sure she is a pretty girl enough."
"I don't care if she is pretty. What's that to me? I've got you through college, Joseph; and a hard time I've had of it, a-delvin' and slavin'; and here you come, and the very first thing you do you must take and court that 'ere 'Squire Jones's daughter, who was always putting himself up above me. Besides, I mean to have the law on that estate yet; and Deacon Dudley, he will have the law, too; and it will cut off the best piece of land the girl has; and when you get married, I mean you shall have something. It's jest a trick of them gals at me; but I guess I'll come up with 'em yet. I'm just a-goin' down to have a 'regular hash' with old Silence, to let her know she can't come round me that way."
"Silence," said Susan, drawing her head into the window, and looking apprehensive, "there is Mr. Adams coming here."
"What, Joe Adams? Well, and what if he is?"