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"Prudence?" said I, staring

"Ah! Prudence--I be 'er grandfeyther, an' I know"

"Prudence!" said I again

"She 'm a 'andsome lass, an' so pretty as a picter--you said so

yourself, an' what's more, she 'm a sensible lass, an' 'll make

ye as fine a wife as ever was if only--"

"If only she loved me, Ancient"

"To be sure, Peter"

"But, you see, she doesn't"

"Eh--what? What, Peter?"

"Prudence doesn't love me!"

"Doesn't--"

"Not by any means"

"Peter--ye're jokin'"

"No, Ancient"

"But I--I be all took aback--mazed I be--not love ye, an' me wi'

my 'eart set on it--are ye sure?"

"Certain"

"'Ow d'ye know?"

"She told me so"

"But--hy shouldn't she love ye?"

"Why should she?"

"But I--I'd set my 'eart on it, Peter"

"It is very unfortunate!" said I, and began blowing up the fire

"Peter"