Vol.1 f.015 recto

"Such a thing as love is!' he said, drawing a chair near the fire, and looking round for sympathy. "He has set off to walk to London, -- all the way to London. His nag gone lame in riding out here this blessed afternoon, and comfortably littered down in our stable at this minute; and he giving up a good hot supper and our best bed, because Miss Haredale has gone to a masquerade up in town, and he has set his heart upon seeing her! I don't think I could persuade myself to do that, beautiful as she is, -- but then I'm not in love (at least I don't think I am) and that's the whole difference.'
"He is in love then?' said the stranger.
" Rather,' replied Joe. " He'll never he more in love, and may very easily be less.'
" Silence, sir!' cried his father.
" What a chap you are, Joe!' said Long Parkes.
" Such a inconsiderate lad!' murmured Tom Cobb.
"Putting himself forward and wringing the very nose off his own father's face!' exclaimed the parish-clerk, metaphorically.
"What[1have]1 I done?' reasoned poor Joe.
"Silence; sir!, returned his father, "what do you mean by talking, when you see people that are more than