property more than I do; but the truth is, that the game
I wish to play with them will be a winning one, if I can induce them
to hold the cards. I wish to get the property, and as I feel that that
can't be done without marrying their milk-and-curd of a daughter, why,
it is my intention to marry her accordingly."

"Then you don't marry a wife to be happy with her?"

"In one sense not I--in another I do; I shall make myself happy with her
property."

"Indeed, Harry, to tell you the truth, there is very little happiness in
married life, and they are only fools that expect it. You see how I am
treated by Lindsay and my own children."

"Well, but you provoke them--why disturb yourself with them? Why not
pass through life as quietly as you can? Imitate Lindsay."

"What! make a sot of myself--become a fool, as he is?"

"Then, why did you marry him?"

"Because I was the fool then, but I have suffered for it. Why, he
manages this property as if it wasn't mine--as if I didn't bring it to
him. Think of a man who is silly enough to forgive a tenant his gale
of rent, provided he makes a poor mouth, and says he is not able to pay
it."

"But I see no harm in that either; if the man is not able to pay, how
can he? What does Lindsay do but make a virtue of necessity. He cannot
skin a flint, can he?"

"That's an ugly comparison," she replied, "and I can't conceive why
you make it to me. I am afraid, Harry, you have suffered yourself to be
prejudiced against the only friend--the only true friend, you have in
the house. I can tell you, that although they keep fair faces to you,
you are not liked here."

"Very well; if I find that to be true, they will lose more than they'll
gain by it."

"They have been striving to secure your influence against me. I know it
by your language."

"In the devil's name, how can you know it by my language, mother?"

"You talked about skinning a flint; now, you had that from them
with reference to me. It was only the other day that an ill-tongued
house-maid of mine, after I had paid her her wages, and 'stopped' for
the articles she injured on me, turned round, and called me a skinflint;
they have made it a common nickname on me. I'd have torn her eyes out
only for Lindsay, who had the assurance to tell me that if he had not
interfered I'd have had the worst of it--that I'd come off second best,
and such slang; yes, and then added afterwards, that he was sorry he
interfered. That's the kind of a