“Now, what say you, lad?” continued his father; and though the tone was whimsical it was also half serious. “Am I to do a bit o’ courting for you? All Nancy wants is t’ smooth plane on her and I fancy I could manage it.” “I’d like to see my lad’s father come a-courting me,” said Hannah. “I’d take t’ yard brush to t’ pair of ’em——” “Shut up, Hannah!” said Jagger impatiently, as he turned his eyes on his father. “What would you say to Nancy if it was you?” “It isn’t what I’d say, but t’ way I’d say it. T’ same helm ’at sends t’ ship on to t’ rocks ’ud steer it into deep water. But I’m only plaguing you, lad. Hannah’s right enough; you’ll have to fend for yourself.” “If she talks till she’s black in t’ face,” said Jagger sullenly, “she’ll not get me to give t’ shop up and go back to Baldwin.” “Well, I wouldn’t be in a hurry to tell her so,” returned his father, “or she’ll happen think t’ new hobby-horse has put you out o’ love wi’ t’ old doll.” Grannie had been silent all this time but now her voice broke in: “A Clegg lass, And a wedding for brass! A Clegg wife, And it’s sorrow or strife!” “That’s a true word, Maniwel, and always has been, though it’s few lassies the Cleggs have bred; and they may thank the Lord for that, seeing as how the few they’ve had supped sorrow by t’ canful. You’ll not rec’llect Nancy’s aunt—nay it ’ud be her great-aunt....” “No, but I know t’ tale, mother, and it’s time it was coffined. If there’s a spell on t’ Clegg lassies I could like Nancy to break it, and Jagger’s more sense than to be frightened out of his wits wi’ jingles. But we’ll put ’em all on one side, and just read a chapter out o’ t’ Book for a bit of a lightening, before we go to bed. When it comes to troubles there’s them in t’ Book could give us all a long start and catch up with us quick. Jagger ’ud stare if he’d Job’s troubles to hug.” The Book was put away and grannie left them, but the father sat on long past his usual hour, and by and by Hannah yawned and rose up to turn the key in the lock of the outer door. “Quakers’ meetings turn me sleepy,” she said; and wished them good-night.