Lady Bassett agreed with him, but shrugged her shoulders and said, "Two
nurses will not hurt, and I suspect it will not be for long. Mary does
not feel her husband's loss one bit."
"Surely you are mistaken. She howls loud enough."
"Too loud--much," said Lady Bassett, dryly.
Her perspicuity was not deceived. In a very short time Mr. Meyrick,
unable to get her for his housekeeper, offered her marriage.
"What!" said she, "and James Gosport not dead a month?"
"Say the word now, and take your own time," said he.
"Well, I might do worse," said she.
About six weeks after this Drake came about her, and in tender tones of
consolation suggested that it is much better for a pretty girl to marry
one who plows the land than one who plows the sea.
"That is true," said Mary, with a sigh; "I have found it to my sorrow."
After this Drake played a bit with her, and then relented, and one
evening offered her marriage, expecting her to jump eagerly at his
offer.
"You be too late, young man," said she, coolly; "I'm bespoke."
"Doan't ye say that! How can ye be bespoke? Why, t'other hain't been
dead four months yet."
"What o' that? This one spoke for me within a week. Why, our banns are
to be cried to-morrow; come to church and hear 'em; that will learn ye
not to shilly-shally so next time.
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