'It'll be all the worse for you, you know- you'd need try and
help me keep things together.'
'Well, sir, I've often offered to take the management of things,
but you know you've taken it ill always, and seemed to think I
wanted to push you out of your place.'
'I know nothing o' your offering or o' my taking it ill,' said
the Squire, whose memory consisted in certain strong impressions
unmodified by detail; 'but I know, one while you seemed to be thinking
o' marrying, and I didn't offer to put any obstacles in your way, as
some fathers would. I'd as lieve you married Lammeter's daughter as
anybody. I suppose, if I'd said you nay, you'd ha' kept on with it;
but, for want o' contradiction you've changed your mind. You're a
shilly-shally fellow: you take after your poor mother. She never had a
will of her own; a woman has no call for one, if she's got a proper
man for her husband. But your wife had need have one, for you hardly
know your own mind enough to make both your legs walk one way. The
lass hasn't said downright she won't have you, has she?'
'No,' said Godfrey, feeling very hot and uncomfortable; 'but I
don't think she will.'
'Think! why, haven't you the courage to ask her? Do you stick to
it, you want to have her- that's the thing?'
'There's no other woman I want to marry,' said Godfrey, evasively.
'Well, then, let me make the offer for you, that's all, if you
haven't the pluck to do it yourself.
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