‘Don’t you see lots of old bachelors about, Ruby?’

’Of course I does.  There’s the Squire.  But he don’t come asking girls to keep him company.’

‘That’s more than you know, Ruby.’

’If he did he’d marry her out of hand,—­because he’s a gentleman.  That’s what he is, every inch of him.  He never said a word to a girl,—­not to do her any harm, I’m sure,’ and Ruby began to, cry.  ’You mustn’t come no further now, and I’ll never see you again—­never!  I think you’re the falsest young man, and the basest, and the lowest-minded that I ever heard tell...