"You've got nothing to be unhappy about, I'm sure," he said. "It's only what, I told you. The old woman won't stand it, and we shall have to make a bolt. You see it now yourself." "Ah, but father--mother, Dick." "They'll soon come round, like my old lady will." "But I couldn't go, Dick, dear Dick. Do pray speak to father." "Not I," said the young fellow, coolly. "Then let me, pray let me." "No, nor I shan't let you do that neither. He won't mind; and I'm not going to be talked to and patted on the back and that sort of stuff. If you love me as you say you do, you'll listen to what I say." Daisy looked at him uneasily, and then turned away her face, sobbing to herself, "Oh, dear." "Now then," continued Dick, "let's finish our walk." "No, no," sobbed Daisy, "I must go back home now." "Not yet you won't," he said, angrily. "But indeed, indeed I must, Dick, dear Dick. Pray don't speak crossly to me." "You get worse and worse," he said. "There's always some silly excuse ready." "But I must--indeed I must go home now, Dick," cried Daisy, imploringly. "And I say you shan't yet," said the young man, half angrily, half laughing; and then--"Curse it--there's that Tom Podmore again, with young Maine. Did you know he was coming?" "No, no: indeed no," cried the girl, reproachfully. "He's always watching us," cried Richard, and catching Daisy's arm, he walked with her rapidly down a path leading to one of the outlets of the wood, where they parted, Daisy hurrying home to be received with a quiet nod by her father, who was just going out, while her mother looked at her curiously as she went to take off her things. Volume 2, Chapter III. BANKS'S OBSTINACY. Joe Banks made his way straight through the place to the big house, where, on knocking at the front door, it was evident that he was expected, the girl saying quietly-- "Missus will see you in her room, Mr Banks." "All raight, my lass," said Joe; and he followed the girl into a little room off the hall, where the walls were ornamented with maps and patterns, and shelves bearing rough account books, while here and there stood a dingy-looking wooden model of some piece of machinery. "Evening, mum," said Joe, quietly. "I've come, as you sent for me; but it ain't no use. Things are just where they weer, and unless Master Dick comes down, the works will keep shut." "I didn't send for you about that," said Mrs Glaire, hastily. "No!" said Joe, quietly. "No," said Mrs Glaire, clearing her throat and speaking rather excitedly. "You know I spoke to you once before, Joe Banks, about-- about--" "There, don't beat about, Missus," said Joe, with a happy smile spreading over his countenance. "I know, about Master Dick and my Daisy." "Yes," said Mrs Glaire, "and I spoke to my son about it." "Did you?" chuckled Joe. "Well, I never spoke a word to my gal." "I spoke to my son," continued Mrs Glaire, "and pointed out the impossibility and impropriety of his proceedings."