Page:The Partisan (revised).djvu/239

 "You think so, mother? Well, I'm sorry; for I do believe John had a true-and-true love for me in his heart, and he often said so. I wonder where he is."

"John Davis, indeed, my child! how can you speak of such a fellow? Why, what has he to show for you? A poor shoat that hasn't house, nor home, nor any thing to make a wife comfortable, or even feed her when he gets her. No, no, girl, the husband that's for you is a different sort of person—a very different sort of person, indeed."

"Oh, do, mother! can't you tell me something about him, now?—only a little; I do so want to know. Is he tall, now, or short? I hope he's tall—eh?—middle size, and wears—oh, speak, mother! and don't shake your head so—tell me at once!"

And the girl pressed forward upon the old woman, and her eye earnestly watched the features of her countenance, heedless of the ogre grin which rested upon her lips, and the generally fiendish expression of her skinny face. The old woman did not immediately answer, for her thoughts seemed to wander, and her eye looked about her, as if in search of some expected object.

"What do you look for, mother?—you don't mind what I say, do you?"

"I was looking and thinking, my daughter, how to answer you best. How would you like, now, instead of hearing about your husband that is to be, to see him?"

"What! can you make him come, mother, like a picture, with a big frame round him? and shall I see him close—see him close? But I mustn't touch him, I suppose; for then he'd vanish, they say."

"Yes,—how would you like to see him, now, Bella?"

"Oh, dear me, I should be frightened! You'd better tell me who he is, and don't bring him; though, indeed, mother, I can't think there would be danger."

"None—none at all," said the old woman in reply, who seemed disposed to prolong the dialogue.

"Well, if he only looked like John Davis, now!"

"John Davis, indeed, Bella! I tell you, you must not think of John Davis. You are for a far better man. What do you say,