Arthur considered.

“I wouldn’t swear but what you might be right,” he declared.

And then I let drop a hint or two, though well within manners.

“If there was more like you,” I told Arthur, “I might be tempted, but since I’ve heard you, I very well know Mr. Sweet at his best never held a candle to you.”

“Once bit twice shy,” said Parable, and strange to say, from that moment I took a violent fancy to the man.  However, he’d grasped my meaning, as his answer showed, and next time I met him, he was happier than I’d ever known him to be.  Joy blazed in his face and he walked like a young man.

“’My, Arthur!” I said, “who’s left you a fortune?”

“Better than that,” he answered.  “Your Rupert have offered for Minnie and wants to be married in six weeks.  It sounds like a fairy story; but there’s no doubt seemingly; and don’t you put him off her, or I’ll never speak to you again, Mary.”

“It would take more than me to put Rupert off anything he wanted,” I replied.  “And, to tell truth, this is no surprise to me.  He’s very well pleased with his bargain, and I do hope you see your way to give Minnie a pinch of cash, for that will lighten Arthur’s heart amazing and keep him faithful till they be wed.”

“So I thought,” replied Arthur.  “In fact I’ve gone so far as to name one hundred pounds if they’re man and wife afore Michaelmas.”

“Then fear no more,” I said.  “It will happen.”

The same night affairs rushed on to their amazing conclusion and Rupert staggered me once more.  For the first time in his life he willed to pleasure me, and it showed the secret power of the man, that again he talked as if a deed was already done afore the difficulties had been faced.

Minnie had told him all about my adventures, indeed they was common knowledge now, and many had heard how Mr. Sweet had fallen off.  Some came to say they was sorry, and some thought it a pretty good escape, and some of his friends would never know me no more.  But Rupert didn’t waste no time on Gregory; he was in a wonderful amiable mood and I could see Arthur’s hundred pounds had touched him in his tenderest spot.  And then, in his blunt way, he went to the centre of the situation and asked me if I’d like to marry Arthur.

“Because,” he said, “if you would, you shall!”

“You’ll puzzle me to my dying day,” I answered.  “And how be it in your power to give me Arthur Parable, supposing I was to want him?  It’s a delicate subject,” I said, “and he will never take another, having all he wanted with his first.”

“Don’t jaw,” my son answered me.  “For once I can do you a turn; but if you’re going to bleat about it, I shall not.  Do you want Arthur Parable, or don’t you?”

An indecent man was Rupert, and always above any of them nice shades in conversation that manners point to and proper feeling expects.  However, that sort don’t think the worse of you for sinking to their level, and I well understood that he meant what he said and would be off if I didn’t answer straight.