W. B. Dew you actually feel distressed at the idee o’ partin’ with me?
E. S. Most indubitably, Mrs. Bedott.
W. B. Well, then, what’s the use o’ partin’ at all? O, what have I said? what have I said?
E. S. Ahem—ahaw, allow me to inquire—are you in easy circumstances, Mrs. Bedott?
W. B. Well, not entirely yet, though I feel considerable easier’n what I did an hour ago.
E. S. Ahem! I imagine that you do not fully apprehend my meaning. I am a clergyman, a laborer in the vineyard of the Lord—as such you will readily understand I cannot be supposed to abound in the filthy lucre of this world; my remuneration is small—hence——
W. B. O, Elder, how can you s’pose I’d hesitate on account o’ your bein’ poor? Don’t think on’t—it only increases my opinion of you; money ain’t no objick to me.
E. S. I naturally infer from your indifference respecting the amount of my worldly possessions that you yourself have——
W. B. Don’t be oneasy, Elder, dear—don’t illude tew it again; depend on’t you’re jest as dear tew me, every bit and grain, as you would be if you owned all the mines in Ingy.
E. S. I will say no more about it.