"Yes; I think I know a man who would just fill the bill."
He did not ask for further particulars, but remarked warningly—
"Decent fellows with cash are scarce. They are inclined to get into mischief if they have too much time and money on their hands."
"That's it; and I would not like to make a mess of things now that I've taken up matchmaking. You'll have to advise me when matters get out of hand; a little practice may come in handy some day when you have half a dozen daughters."
"It would come in still handier now."
"Pshaw, now! You'd only have to ask to receive, at your time of life and with your qualifications."
"I'm not so sure. You're the only one who has such an opinion of me," he said disconsolately. "Others look upon me as a red-headed fool with big ears, &c.;" and thus I knew Dawn's idle words had returned to his ears, as these things invariably do, and had stung.
"Silly-billy! I'll take you in hand when I've settled Dawn. I'm the one to advertise your wares, for could I turn back the wheel of time eight or nine years and make us of an age, I'd make it leap-year and propose to you myself."
"I'd like to propose to you without altering the time," he gallantly responded, apparently not in such deadly fear of a breach of promise action as was Uncle Jake.
"If I don't move in the matter Dawn will be marrying that Eweword, and though he's a most handsome and worthy—"