Why, he did not explain. It could not have been from jealous disappointment, for widow Marly had had a very fair share of matrimonial life, having married at the early age of sixteen, and being led twice afterwards to the hymeneal altar before dying at a very good old age. "But it's a wrong thing," he said, at the King's Head, during a course of potations--"a wrong thing; and no good will come. Two sorts, oil and water, and they won't mix. Tell parson I say so, some of you, if you like. It's his doing to get the girl's money, and it's a wrong thing." In the midst of the many discussions in Lawford it was asked why Luke Ross was not to be prosecuted for assaulting the parson's son. "Nice sort of fellow," said Fullerton; "goes to learn to be a lawyer, and comes down here and breaks the law." "Ah! it's been a strange bad case," said Smithson, the tailor. "Anybody seen owt of him since?" ventured Warton, the saddler. There was silence for a few moments, and then Tomlinson spoke. "I haven't seen him down," he said. "In fact, I know he has not been, for old Michael Ross has been up to see him and hear the rights of the case." "Yes?" said two or three, eagerly. "Ah! he don't say anything about the rights and wrongs; only that he doesn't think Joseph Portlock's girl behaved well to him." "Oh! I don't know," said Fullerton. "What call had a girl like that to consider herself bound to a wandering man who couldn't settle down like a Christian? I think she did quite right to give him up." "And marry young Mallow?" "But they are not married yet, my boy," said Fullerton, shaking his head; "and it's my belief that they won't be. He's a flyaway, wild, scapegrace of a fellow. It'll come to nought, but I do think young Ross ought to be punished same as any other man. Fair play and no favour for me." "Very good sentiment, Mr Fullerton," said Warton. "Make it your own motto, then, Mr Warton," said Fullerton, proudly. "As I says to Michael Ross, when I was talking to him, yesterday--no, it was the day before yesterday--no, stop, it _was_ yesterday. `I believe in fair play,' I said. "`So do I, Mr Fullerton,' he said; `but I don't think my poor boy has got it here.'" "Did he say that?" said Warton. "Ay, that he did, and pst--here he is!" There was a murmur in the inn room where the principal Lawford tradesmen were assembled, as old Michael Ross, the tanner, came in, looking very keen and dark, and as if close application to his trade had heightened the colour of his skin. The old man seemed nervous, and as if he feared that he would not be counted welcome; but he soon found that if he would only discuss his son's conduct no one would be looked upon as a more welcome addition to the weekly meeting.