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Article SKETCHES OF CHARACTER. ← Page 9 of 15 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketches Of Character.
than himself . I then took him into hand for y our sakes , hoping he would mend ; and a pretty life he has led me . I didn ' t mean to say the last neighbour , but it slipt out unawares . " " No offence , for all you say is true , but I do hope Bill will mend , and his mother thinks if he was married his wife would steady him . He ' s very fond of your Mary , and minds her more than any one else , and I think your girl likes our Bill . "
" More ' s the pity , I know she does , and with her quiet ways , it has often puzzled me , how she come to take a fancy to such a rollicking daring blade as Bill in spite of his good looks ; but I can ' t hear talk of giving my girl to an idle drunkard , so no more of that , neighbour . I kept Bill a long time , for Mary begged me to do so , hoping that he
would mend ; and I promised her , if your boy was steady when his time was out , to make him my foreman , and in a year or so to take him into partnership ; then if things went smoothly , I would give my consent to their marriage , as they were young enough to wait a bit . But all this is off nowfor I don ' t think Bill will ever mend his and
, ways , dearly as I love Mary , I'd rather see her laid in her coffin than married to an idle drunkard . " " Don't say it ' s all off , neighbour ; just let me tell Bill what you say , and if anything can have a good effect , that will ; for he has quite set his heart on your Mary . "
" Well , Mrs . Giles , I say again , if your son mends , and goes on steady for two or three years , he shall have my Mary , for I know she loves him ; I believe a deal better than she does me , her old father . I must wish you good night , neighbours , its getting late ; tell Bill what I have said , only mind , tell him all . "
Grey had left the cottage but a few minutes , when a heavy footfall was heard , the door was pushed open rudely , and in walked Bill Giles , evidently slightly excited with drink , and seizing a chair he placed it in the middle of the hearth , and sat down , gazing at the fire in sullen silence . For a few minutes not a word was spokenhis parents
, merely exchanging sorrowful looks . At length his mother rose , and gently touching his shoulder said , " Bill , dear , shall I get you some supper ?" " Keep your hands to yourself , mother , can ' t you ; if I wanted supper I ' ve a tongue in my head to ask for it . "
"Don ' t speak in that way , Bill , or you will break my heart quite . I wish you would keep away from the y oh . i . ' s s
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketches Of Character.
than himself . I then took him into hand for y our sakes , hoping he would mend ; and a pretty life he has led me . I didn ' t mean to say the last neighbour , but it slipt out unawares . " " No offence , for all you say is true , but I do hope Bill will mend , and his mother thinks if he was married his wife would steady him . He ' s very fond of your Mary , and minds her more than any one else , and I think your girl likes our Bill . "
" More ' s the pity , I know she does , and with her quiet ways , it has often puzzled me , how she come to take a fancy to such a rollicking daring blade as Bill in spite of his good looks ; but I can ' t hear talk of giving my girl to an idle drunkard , so no more of that , neighbour . I kept Bill a long time , for Mary begged me to do so , hoping that he
would mend ; and I promised her , if your boy was steady when his time was out , to make him my foreman , and in a year or so to take him into partnership ; then if things went smoothly , I would give my consent to their marriage , as they were young enough to wait a bit . But all this is off nowfor I don ' t think Bill will ever mend his and
, ways , dearly as I love Mary , I'd rather see her laid in her coffin than married to an idle drunkard . " " Don't say it ' s all off , neighbour ; just let me tell Bill what you say , and if anything can have a good effect , that will ; for he has quite set his heart on your Mary . "
" Well , Mrs . Giles , I say again , if your son mends , and goes on steady for two or three years , he shall have my Mary , for I know she loves him ; I believe a deal better than she does me , her old father . I must wish you good night , neighbours , its getting late ; tell Bill what I have said , only mind , tell him all . "
Grey had left the cottage but a few minutes , when a heavy footfall was heard , the door was pushed open rudely , and in walked Bill Giles , evidently slightly excited with drink , and seizing a chair he placed it in the middle of the hearth , and sat down , gazing at the fire in sullen silence . For a few minutes not a word was spokenhis parents
, merely exchanging sorrowful looks . At length his mother rose , and gently touching his shoulder said , " Bill , dear , shall I get you some supper ?" " Keep your hands to yourself , mother , can ' t you ; if I wanted supper I ' ve a tongue in my head to ask for it . "
"Don ' t speak in that way , Bill , or you will break my heart quite . I wish you would keep away from the y oh . i . ' s s