"He is first rate, thank you, and so is mother. I suppose you know they have retired from the farm?"
"No, I had not heard."
"I have it in my own hands now. For some things I wish I hadn't. I tried to persuade father and mother to live on in the house, but they had made up their minds to go and live in town, where they could have gas in the streets, and all that kind of thing. If I had only a sister to keep house it wouldn't be so bad."
"But why don't you get married?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, that is the very thing I have come to talk to you about."
And Sam turned all ways in his chair, and looked decidedly uncomfortable.
"Come to talk to me about?" William questioned, in a tone of surprise.
"You think it funny, of course; but the truth is——" And Sam looked apprehensively towards the door. "We shall not be overheard here, shall we?"
"There's no one in the house but myself, except the cook. Mother's gone out to see a neighbour."
"Oh, well, I'm glad I've caught you on the quiet, as it were. I wouldn't have the matter talked about for the world."