'Your conversation's always equal to print, sir,' rejoined Mark, with a
broad grin. 'That was it.'
'Well!' cried Pinch, 'you are the strangest young man, Mark, I ever knew
in my life. I always thought so; but now I am quite certain of it. I am
going to Salisbury, too. Will you get in? I shall be very glad of your
company.'
The young fellow made his acknowledgments and accepted the offer;
stepping into the carriage directly, and seating himself on the very
edge of the seat with his body half out of it, to express his being
there on sufferance, and by the politeness of Mr Pinch. As they went
along, the conversation proceeded after this manner.
'I more than half believed, just now, seeing you so very smart,' said
Pinch, 'that you must be going to be married, Mark.'
'Well, sir, I've thought of that, too,' he replied. 'There might be some
credit in being jolly with a wife, 'specially if the children had the
measles and that, and was very fractious indeed. But I'm a'most afraid
to try it. I don't see my way clear.'
'You're not very fond of anybody, perhaps?' said Pinch.
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