'But we've come here on a hauspicious occasion, Miss Ruby.'
'I don't know nothing about auspicious, Mr Mixet. If you and Mr Crumb've come out to Sheep's Acre farm for a bit of supper--'
'Which we ain't,' said John Crumb very loudly;--'nor yet for beer;--not by no means.'
'We've come for the smiles of beauty,' said Joe Mixet. Ruby chucked up her head. 'Mr Mixet, if you'll be so good as to stow that! There ain't no beauty here as I knows of, and if there was it isn't nothing to you.'
'Except in the way of friendship,' said Mixet.
'I'm just as sick of all this as a man can be,' said Mr Ruggles, who was sitting low in his chair, with his back bent, and his head forward. 'I won't put up with it no more.'
'Who wants you to put up with it?' said Ruby. 'Who wants 'em to come here with their trash? Who brought 'em to-night? I don't know what business Mr Mixet has interfering along o' me. I never interfere along o' him.'
'John Crumb, have you anything to say?' asked the old man.
Then John Crumb slowly arose from his chair, and stood up at his full height. 'I hove,' said he, swinging his head to one side.
'Then say it.'
'I will,' said he. He was still standing bolt upright with his hands down by his side. Then he stretched out his left to his glass which was half full of beer, and strengthened himself as far as that would strengthen him. Having done this he slowly deposited the pipe which he still held in his right hand.
'Now speak your mind, like a man,' said Mixet.
'I intends it,' said John. But he still stood dumb, looking down upon old Ruggles, who from his crouched position was looking up at him. Ruby was standing with both her hands upon the table and her eyes intent upon the wall over the fire-place.
'You've asked Miss Ruby to be your wife a dozen times;--haven't you, John?' suggested Mixet.
'I hove.'
'And you mean to be as good as your word?'
'I do.'
'And she has promised to have you?'
'She hove.'
'More nor once or twice?' To this proposition Crumb found it only necessary to bob his head. 'You're ready?--and willing?'
'I am.'
'You're wishing to have the banns said without any more delay?'
'There ain't no delay 'bout me;--never was.'