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UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE.

'The maning of that speech is,' the tranter replied deliberately, 'that the maning is rather hid at present. Well, Dick, as an honest father to thee, I don't pretend to deny what you d'know well enough; that is, that her father being rather better in the world than we, I should welcome her ready enough if it must be somebody.'

'But what d'ye think she really did mean?' said Dick.

'I'm afeared I ben't o' much account in guessing, especially as I was not there when she said it, and seeing that your mother was the only woman I ever cam into such close quarters as that wi'.'

'And what did mother say to you when you asked her?' said Dick musingly.

'I don't see that that will help ye.'

'The principle is the same.'

'Well—ay: what did she say? Let's see. I was oiling my working-day boots without

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