"Of course you're a young man, sir."
"No, I'm not."
"That is, not exactly young,"
"You're an old fool to tell such lies!"
"Of course I'm an old fool; but I endeavor to be veracious. I never
didn't take a shilling as were yours, nor a shilling's worth, all the
years I have known you, Mr. Prosper."
"What has that to do with it? I'm not a young man."
"What am I to say, sir? Shall I say as you are middle-aged?"
"The truth is, Matthew, I'm worn out."
"Then I wouldn't think of taking a wife."
"Troubles have been too heavy for me to bear. I don't think I was
intended to bear trouble."
"'Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward,'" said Matthew.
"I suppose so. But one man's luck is harder than another's. They've been
too many for me, and I feel that I'm sinking under them. It's no good my
thinking of marrying now."
"That's what I was coming to when you said I was an old fool. Of course
I am an old fool."
"Do have done with it! Mr. Harry hasn't been exactly what he ought to
have been to me."
"He's a very comely young gentleman."
"What has comely to do with it?"
"Them as is plain-featured is more likely to stay at home and be quiet.
You couldn't expect one as is so handsome to stay at Buston and hear
sermons.
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