The slight stress laid upon the personal pronoun appeared to irritate the young gentleman, and he replied with a certain acerbity: ‘There is n’t, as a rule, much pleasure to be found in doing honest business, Mr. Sharpe.’ ‘Not among lawyers,’ said Isaac, nodding placidly. ‘So I’ve been told.’ ‘There’s others besides lawyers, though,’ cried Samuel, ‘as are n’t so very honest! He! he! You’re a very confiding man, Mr. Sharpe—a very confiding uncle. ’T is n’t everyone in your situation that would care to make such a handsome young man his business-manager where a handsome young woman was concerned. He! he! Your nephew, no doubt, will do the business thoroughly—perhaps a little too thoroughly.’ ‘My nevvy,’ returned Isaac loftily, ‘may be trusted to do his dooty, Sam’el. ’T is more nor can be said for many folks as be all for pokin’ their noses where they bain’t wanted!’ Mr. Cross’s always sallow complexion assumed an even more jaundiced hue as he retorted: ‘Most people do no business on Sunday—in England they don’t at least; but I suppose Mr. Richard Marshall has brought foreign notions back with him. He was seen two or three weeks ago doing _business_ with Mrs. Fiander quite as per usual. They were standin’ close together lookin’ over a gate, just as if he and she were keepin’ company. And he was tellin’ her such touchin’ business details that she was actually crying, Mr. Sharpe.’ ‘Cryin’!’ ejaculated Isaac, in a kind of roar. ‘Stuff and nonsense! What had she to cry for?’ ‘How should I know? Because prices had gone down, I suppose, since, according to you, they talk nothing but business when they are together.’ ‘Oh, drop that,’ cried the farmer, losing patience at last. ‘What be you a-drivin’ at, Sam’el Cross, wi’ your hints?’ ‘Why,’ rejoined Samuel, thrusting his thumbs into his waistcoat pockets—‘why, the remark as was passed by the young man that saw them in the lane will perhaps throw some light on the subject. Says he, “I believe,” he says, “as the widow Fiander be a-takin’ on wi’ the new love before she is off wi’ the old.” So if I do drop a hint, Mr. Sharpe’—and Samuel assumed a virtuous air, and struck an appropriate attitude—‘I do it in the way of kindness. Take my advice and look sharp—look like your name, sir! We lawyers see a deal of the world, a deal of the wickedness of the world, and we know that worthy folks are often caught napping. But don’t you be caught, farmer—keep a good look-out, or your bride will be snapped up from under your very nose.’