“But think what the old book says, Mr. Cregeen, 'take no thought for the morrow'——”
“That's what Johnny Niplightly said, Mr. Christian, when he lit my kiln overnight and burnt my oats before morning.”.
“'But consider the lilies'——”
“I have considered them, sir; but I'm foiling still and mother has to spin.”
“And isn't Pete able to toil, too,” said Philip boldly. “Nobody better in the island; there's not a lazy bone in his body, and he'll earn his living anywhere.”
“What is his living, sir?” said Cæsar.
Philip halted for an answer, and then said, “Well, he's only with me in the boat at present, Mr. Cregeen.”
“And what's he getting? His meat and drink and a bit of pence, eh? And you'll be selling up some day, it's like, and going away to England over, and then where is he? Let the girl marry a mother-naked man at once.”
“But you're wanting help yourself, father,” said Grannie. “Yes, you are though, and time for chapel too and aisément in your old days——”
“Give the lad my mill as well as my daughter, is that it, eh?” said Cæsar. “No, I'm not such a goose as yonder, either. I could get heirs, sir, heirs, bless ye—fifty acres and better, not to spake of the bas'es. But I can do without them. The Lord's blest me with enough. I'm not for daubing grease on the tail of the fat pig.”