there again o' Monday, but the
girl wouldn't have a word to say to him." Ralph sat silent, and very
grave. He was taken now somewhat by surprise, having felt, up to
this moment, that he would at least have the advantage of a further
interview with Sir Thomas, before he need say another word to Mr.
Neefit. "What I want you to do, Captain, is just to pop it, straight
off, to my girl. I know she'd take you, because of her way of
looking. Not, mind, that she ever said so. Oh, no. But the way to
find out is just to ask the question."

"You see, Mr. Neefit, it wasn't very easy to ask it last Sunday,"
said Ralph, attempting to laugh.

"Moggs has been at her again," said Neefit. This argument was
good. Had Ralph been as anxious as Moggs, he would have made his
opportunity.

"And, to tell you the truth, Mr. Neefit--"

"Well, sir?"

"There is nothing so disagreeable as interfering in families. I
admire your daughter amazingly."

"She's a trump, Mr. Newton."

"She is indeed;--and I thoroughly appreciate the great generosity of
your offer."

"I'll be as good as my word, Mr. Newton. The money shall be all
there,--down on the nail."

"But, you see, your wife is against me."

"Blow my wife. You don't think Polly 'd do what her mother tells her?
Who's got the money-bag? That's the question. You go down and pop it
straight. You ain't afraid of an old woman, I suppose;--nor yet of a
young un. Don't mind waiting for more dinners, or anything of that
kind. They likes a man to be hot about it;--that's what they likes.
You're sure to find her any time before dinner;--that's at one, you
know. May be she mayn't be figged out fine, but you won't mind that.
I'll go bail you'll find the flesh and blood all right. Just you make
your way in, and say what you've got to say. I'll make it straight
with the old woman afterwards."

Ralph Newton had hitherto rather prided himself on his happy
management of young ladies. He was not ordinarily much afflicted by
shyness, and conceived himself able to declare a passion, perhaps
whether felt or feigned, as well as another. And now he was being
taught how to go a-wooing by his breeches-maker! He did not
altogether like it, and, as at this moment his mind was rather set
against the Hendon matrimonial speculation, he was disposed to resent
it. "I think you're making a little mistake, Mr. Neefit," he said.

"What mistake? I don't know as I'm making any mistake. You'll be
making a mistake, and so