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'Everything is ready in your own house?'

'They is'

'And you will expect Miss Ruby to come to the scratch?'

'I sholl'

'That's about it, I think,' said Joe Mixet, turning to the grandfather 'I don't think there was ever anything htforward than that You know, I know, Miss Ruby knows all about John Cruay yesterday nor yet the day before There's been a talk of five hundred pounds, Mr Ruggles' Mr Ruggles esture of assent with his head 'Five hundred pounds is very cos that snug that things never was snugger But John Cru of her fortune'

'Nohows,' said the lover, shaking his head and still standing upright with his hands by his side

'Not he;--it isn't his ways, and them as knows him'll never say it of him John has a heart in his buzso his hand a little above his stomach

'And feelings as a ht John Cru 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'

'That's what I has to say,' repeated John Crumb, 'and Ihimself to Ruby, 'you've heard what John has to say'

'I've heard you, Mr Mixet, and I've heard quite enough'

'You can't have anything to say against it, Miss; can you? There's your grandfather as is willing, and the-, with his house so ready that there isn't a ha'porth to do All ant is for you to naen it,' said John Cruh

'I won't say to-morrow, Mr Crumb, nor yet the day after to- to have you I've told you as much before'

'That was only in fun, loike'

'Then now I tell you in earnest There's so'

'You don't mean,--never?'

'I do mean never, Mr Crumb'

'Didn't you say as you would, Ruby? Didn't you say so as plain as the nose on my face?' John as he asked these questions could hardly refrain from tears