and this time of year no weeds is up, and he don't know enough of things

to think nothing of them. When his chaise come down I was out by the

gate with a broom in my hand, and I pulled off my hat, but his eye never

seemed to lay hold of me."

"His eye lays hold of everything, whether he makes 'em feel or no.

One thing I'm sure of--he was quite up to Miss Dolly, and the way she

carries on with you know who, every blessed Sunday. If that is what they

go to church for--"

"But, my dear soul," said the genial Swipes, whose heart was enlarged

with the power of good beer, "when you and I was young folk, what did

we go to church for? I can't speak for you, ma'am, being ever so much

younger, and a baby in the gallery in long clothes, if born by that

time; but so far as myself goes, it was the girls I went to look at, and

most of 'em come as well to have it done to them."

"That never was my style, Mr. Swipes, though I know there were some not

above it. And amongst equals I won't say that there need be much harm

in it. But for a young man in the gallery, with a long stick of the

vile-base in his hand, and the only clean shirt of the week on his back,

and nothing but a plank of pitch to keep him, however good-looking he

may be, to be looking at the daughter, and the prettiest one too, though

not the best, some people think, of the gentleman that owns all the

houses and the haven--presumption is the smallest word that I can

find to use for it; and for her to allow it, fat--fat something in the

nation."

"Well, ma'am," said Mr. Swipes, whose views were loose and liberal, "it

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