Page:Under the greenwood tree (1872 Volume 1).pdf/204

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UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE.

man: never. Silent? ah, he is silent! He can keep silence well. That man's silence is wonderful to listen to.'

'There's so much sense in it. Every moment of it is brimming over with sound understanding.'

''A can keep a very clever silence—very clever truly,' echoed Leaf. ''A looks at me as if 'a could see my thoughts running around like the works of a clock.'

'Well, all will agree that the man can pause well in conversation, be it a long time or be it a short time. And though we can't expect his daughter to inherit his silence, she may have a few dribblets from his sense.'

'And his pocket, perhaps.'

'Yes; the nine hundred pound that everybody says he's worth; but I call it four hundred and fifty; for I never believe more than half I hear.'

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