"Oh, I don't know. I've a few friends, but that comes of being here so long. And then, you see, I ain't particular as you are. I always see that when a lady goes in to be evangelical, she soon finds a husband to take care of her; that is, if she has got any money. It all goes on very well, and I've no doubt they're right. There's my friend Mary Baker, she's single still; but then she began very late in life. Now about Mr Maguire." "Well, Miss Todd." "In the first place, I really don't think he has got much that he can call his own." "He hasn't got anything, Miss Todd; he told me so himself." "Did he, indeed?" said Miss Todd; "then let me tell you he is a deal honester than they are in general." "Oh, he told me that. I know he's got no income in the world besides his curacy, and that he has thrown up." "And therefore you are going to give him yours." "I don't know about that, Miss Todd; but it wasn't about money that I was doubting. What I've got is enough for both of us, if his wants are not greater than mine. What is the use of money if people cannot be happy together with it? I don't care a bit for money, Miss Todd; that is, not for itself. I shouldn't like to be dependent on a stranger; I don't know that I would like to be dependent again even on a brother; but I should take no shame to be dependent on a husband if he was good to me." "That's just it; isn't it?" "There's quite enough for him and me." "I must say you look at the matter in the most disinterested way. I couldn't bring myself to take it up like that." "You haven't lived the life that I have, Miss Todd, and I don't suppose you ever feel solitary as I do." "Well, I don't know. We single women have to be solitary sometimes--and sometimes sad." "But you're never sad, Miss Todd." "Have you never heard there are some animals, that, when they're sick, crawl into holes, and don't ever show themselves among the other animals? Though it is only the animals that do it, there's a pride in that which I like. What's the good of complaining if one's down in the mouth? When one gets old and heavy and stupid, one can't go about as one did when one was young; and other people won't care to come to you as they did then." "But I had none of that when I was young, Miss Todd." "Hadn't you? Then I won't say but what you may be right to try and begin now. But, law! what am I talking of? I am old enough to be your mother." "I think it so kind of you to talk to me at all." "Well, now about Mr Maguire. I don't think he's possessed of much of the fat of the land; but that you say you know already?" "Oh yes, I know all that." "And it seems he has lost his curacy?" "He threw that up himself." "I shouldn't be surprised--but mind I don't say this for certain--but I shouldn't be surprised if he owed a little money." Miss Mackenzie's face became rather long. "What do you call a little, Miss Todd?" "Two or three hundred pounds. I don't call that a great deal."