human
Ha, ha, cried the squire, chuckling,
gpt
I long to see how you'll astonish Stirn. Why, you'll guess in a moment where we put the top-dressing; and when you come to handle my short-horns, I dare swear you'll know to a pound how much oil-cake has gone into their sides.
human
Oh, you do me too much honour,--indeed you do. I only know the general principles of agriculture; the details are eminently interesting, but I have not had the opportunity to acquire them.
gpt
Stuff! cried the squire.
human
How can a man know general principles unless he has first studied the details? You are too modest, my boy. Ho! there 's Stirn looking out for us!
gpt
Well, sir, perhaps Frank may soon gratify your wish, and turn farmer himself.
human
Eh! quoth the squire, stopping short,--
gpt
Suppose he were to marry?
human
I'd give him the two best farms on the property rent free. Ha, ha! Has he seen the girl yet? I'd leave him free to choose; sir, I chose for myself,--every man should. Not but what Miss Stick-to-rights is an heiress, and, I hear, a very decent girl, and that would join the two properties, and put an end to that law-suit about the right of way, which began in the reign of King Charles the Second, and is likely otherwise to last till the day of judgment. But never mind her; let Frank choose to please himself.
gpt
I'll not fail to tell him so, sir. I did fear you might have some prejudices. But here we are at the farmyard.
human
Burn the farmyard! How can I think of farmyards when you talk of Frank's marriage? Come on--this way. What were you saying about prejudices?
gpt
Why, you might wish him to marry an Englishwoman, for instance.
human
English! Good heavens, sir, does he mean to marry a Hindoo?
gpt
Nay, I don't know that he means to marry at all; I am only surmising; but if he did fall in love with a foreigner--
human
A foreigner! Ah, then Harry was--
gpt
Who might, perhaps, observed Randal--not truly, if he referred to Madame di Negra--
human
Lord ha' mercy!
gpt
And a Roman Catholic--
human
Worshipping idols, and roasting people who don't worship them.
gpt
Signor Riccabocca is not so bad as that.
human
Rickeybockey! Well, if it was his daughter! But not speak English! and not go to the parish church! By George, if Frank thought of such a thing, I'd cut him off with a shilling. Don't talk to me, sir; I would. I 'm a mild man, and an easy man; but when I say a thing, I say it, Mr. Leslie. Oh, but it is a jest,--you are laughing at me. There 's no such painted good-for-nothing creature in Frank's eye, eh?
gpt
Indeed, sir, if ever I find there is, I will give you notice in time. At present, I was only trying to ascertain what you wished for a daughter-in-law. You said you had no prejudice.
human
No more I have,--not a bit of it.
gpt
You don't like a foreigner and a Catholic?
human
Who the devil would?
gpt
But if she had rank and title?
human
Rank and title! Bubble and squeak! No, not half so good as bubble and squeak. English beef and good cabbage. But foreign rank and title!-- foreign cabbage and beef!---foreign bubble and foreign squeak!
gpt
You must have an Englishwoman?
human
Of course.
gpt
Money?
human
Don't care, provided she is a tidy, sensible, active lass, with a good character for her dower.
gpt
Character--ah, that is indispensable?
human
I should think so, indeed. A Mrs. Hazeldean of Hazeldean--You frighten me. He's not going to run off with a divorced woman, or a--