-
morrow. Besides -- I don't see any harm in purchasing, if one
can, an exemption from the universal doom of eating one's
bread in the sweat of one's brow."

"I think it depends entirely on what one pays for the
purchase," said Winthrop.

"Suppose one pays nothing."

"One executes a most unaccountable business transaction."

Rufus stopped and looked at him, and then took up his walk,
and half laughing went on.

"Suppose we leave talking in the dark, and understand one
another. Do you know what I am driving at?"

"Have you set off?" said Winthrop, with again a glance which
seemed to add to Rufus's amusement.

"No," he said, -- "I am just waiting for you to give me leave."

"The reins are not in my hands."

"Yes they are. Seriously, Winthrop, do you know what we are
talking about? -- What do you think of my making suit to one of
these ladies?"

"I do not think about it."

"You do not conceive it would be any disfavour to either of
them to induce her to accept me, I suppose. -- What do you
say?"

"You are indifferent towards which of them the suit should
incline?" said Winthrop.

"Why, that's as it may be -- I haven't thought enough about it
to know. They're a pretty fair pair to choose from --"

"Supposing that you have the choice," said Winthrop.

"Do you know anything to the contrary? --Has anybody else a
fairer entrance than myself?"

"I am not on sufficiently near terms with the family to be
able to inform you."

"Do _you_ think of entering _your_ plough, Governor?"

"Not in your field."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I am not in your way."

"Shall I be in yours?"

"No," said his brother coolly.

"In whose way then?"

"I am afraid in your own, Will."

"How do you mean?" asked the other a little fiercely.

"If you are so intent upon marrying money-bags, you may chance
to get a wife that will not suit you."

"You must explain yourself!" said Rufus haughtily. "In what
respect would either of these two not suit me?"

"Of two so different, it may safely be affirmed that if one
would the other would not."

"Two so different!" said Rufus. "What's the matter with either
of them?"

"There is this the matter with both --that you do not know
them."

"I _do_ know them!"

"From the rest of the world; but not from each other."

"Why not from each other?"

"Not enough for your liking or your judgment to tell which
would suit you."

"Why would not either suit?" said Rufus.