For
they were seated on the outside of the coach, at the back, and were
travelling down into the country. He accompanied Mr Pecksniff home for a
few days' change of air and scene after his recent trials.
'Well,' he said, at last, with captivating bluntness, 'suppose you got
one such son-in-law as me, what then?'
Mr Pecksniff regarded him at first with inexpressible surprise; then
gradually breaking into a sort of dejected vivacity, said:
'Then well I know whose husband he would be!'
'Whose?' asked Jonas, drily.
'My eldest girl's, Mr Jonas,' replied Pecksniff, with moistening eyes.
'My dear Cherry's; my staff, my scrip, my treasure, Mr Jonas. A hard
struggle, but it is in the nature of things! I must one day part with
her to a husband. I know it, my dear friend. I am prepared for it.'
'Ecod! you've been prepared for that a pretty long time, I should
think,' said Jonas.
'Many have sought to bear her from me,' said Mr Pecksniff. 'All have
failed. "I never will give my hand, papa"--those were her words--"unless
my heart is won." She has not been quite so happy as she used to be, of
late.
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