human
You've asked Miss Ruby to be your wife a dozen times;--haven't you, John?
gpt
I hove.
human
And you mean to be as good as your word?
gpt
I do.
human
And she has promised to have you?
gpt
She hove.
human
More nor once or twice? To this proposition Crumb found it only necessary to bob his head.
gpt
You're ready,--and willing?
human
I om.
gpt
You're wishing to have the banns said without any more delay?
human
There ain't no delay 'bout me;--never was.
gpt
Everything is ready in your own house?
human
They is.
gpt
And you will expect Miss Ruby to come to the scratch?
human
I sholl.
gpt
That's about it, I think, said Joe Mixet, turning to the grandfather.
human
I don't think there was ever anything much more straightforward than that. You know, I know, Miss Ruby knows all about John Crumb. John Crumb didn't come to Bungay yesterday,--nor yet the day before. There's been a talk of five hundred pounds, Mr. Ruggles. Mr. Ruggles made a slight gesture of assent with his head.
gpt
Five hundred pounds is very comfortable; and added to what John has will make things that snug that things never was snugger. But John Crumb isn't after Miss Ruby along of her fortune.
human
Nohow's,
gpt
Not he;--it isn't his ways, and them as knows him'll never say it of him. John has a heart in his buzsom.
human
I has,
gpt
And feelings as a man. It's true love as has brought John Crumb to Sheep's Acre farm this night;--love of that young lady, if she'll let me make so free. He's a proposed to her, and she's a haccepted him, and now it's about time as they was married. That's what John Crumb has to say.
human
That's what I has to say, repeated John Crumb,
gpt
And now, miss, continued Mixet, addressing himself to Ruby,
human
I've heard you, Mr. Mixet, and I've heard quite enough.
gpt
You can't have anything to say against it, miss; can you? There's your grandfather as is willing, and the money as one may say counted out,--and John Crumb is willing, with his house so ready that there isn't a ha'porth to do. All we want is for you to name the day.
human
Say to-morrow, Ruby, and I'll not be agon it,
gpt
I won't say to-morrow, Mr. Crumb, nor yet the day after to-morrow, nor yet no day at all. I'm not going to have you. I've told you as much before.
human
That was only in fun, loike.
gpt
Then now I tell you in earnest. There's some folk wants such a deal of telling.
human
You don't mean,--never?
gpt
I do mean never, Mr. Crumb.
human
Didn't you say as you would, Ruby? Didn't you say so as plain as the nose on my face?
gpt
Young women is allowed to change their minds,
human
Brute! exclaimed old Ruggles.
gpt
Pig! Jade! I'll tell'ee what, John. She'll go out o' this into the streets;--that's what she wull. I won't keep her here, no longer;--nasty, ungrateful, lying slut.
human
She ain't that;--she ain't that, said John.
gpt
She ain't that at all. She's no slut. I won't hear her called so;--not by her grandfather. But, oh, she has a mind to put me so abouts, that I'll have to go home and hang myself.
human
Dash it, Miss Ruby, you ain't a going to serve a young man that way,
gpt
If you'll jist keep yourself to yourself, I'll be obliged to you, Mr. Mixet, said Ruby.
human
If you hadn't come here at all things might have been different.
gpt
Hark at that now,
human
He's aff now, Ruby,
gpt
And you'd better be aff after him,
human
And when'll I come back again?
gpt
Never. It ain't no use. What's the good of more words, Mr. Crumb?
human
Domm her; domm her, said old Ruggles.
gpt
I'll even it to her. She'll have to be out on the roads this night.
human
She shall have the best bed in my house if she'll come for it, said John,
gpt
I can find a place for myself, thank ye, Mr. Crumb. Old Ruggles sat grinding his teeth, and swearing to himself, taking his hat off and putting it on again, and meditating vengeance.
human
And now if you please, Mr. Crumb, I'll go up-stairs to my own room.
gpt
You don't go up to any room here, you jade you.