“I wonder you are not afraid to be seen in this part of the country. There are many here, Will, that would be glad of a hundred pounds, the price set upon your head.”
“And yourself foremost of that number, I dare say,” said the gruff smuggler who accompanied Will Laud.
The old man looked at him with a placid but firm countenance, and said, "That is the language of a villain! Do you think I am so fond of money as yourself; or that I would sell my daughter’s lover for a hundred pounds? The door you have just opened is not yet closed, and if such be your opinion, the sooner you take your departure hence the better.”
“Humph! humph!" said Luff. “You need not be so crusty, Mr. Catchpole—you need not be so boisterous. We have not seen the inside of a house for many a long month, and if this be the first welcome we are to have, it is rather ominous.”
“What welcome do those men deserve who cause the ruin of others?”
“We have not intentionally caused your ruin, father,” said Laud; “but we come in peace; we wish to abide in peace, and to depart in peace.”
“Then you should teach your friend to keep his foul tongue still, or it will cause you more trouble than you are aware of.”
“I miss the principal ornament of your house, Master Catchpole,” said Will. “Where are all the females gone?”
“Some are gone where I hope soon to join them; the one you feel most interest about is gone to service.”
“I was told, not an hour ago, that Margaret lived at home with you.”