However, I
resisted. Says I, very stern, because I felt I'd been wavering,
'Master Dixon, once for all, pig or no pig, I'll not marry you.
And if you'll take my advice, you'll get up off your knees. The
flags is but damp yet, and it would be an awkward thing to have
rheumatiz just before winter.' With that he got up, stiff enough.
He looked as sulky a chap as ever I clapped eyes on. And as he
were so black and cross, I thought I'd done well (whatever came
of the pig) to say 'No' to him. 'You may live to repent this,'
says he, very red. 'But I'll not be hard upon ye, I'll give you
another chance. I'll let you have the night to think about it,
and I'll just call in to hear your second thoughts, after chapel,
to-morrow.' Well now! did ever you hear the like! But that is the
way with all of them men, thinking so much of theirselves, and
that it's but ask and have. They've never had me, though; and I
shall be sixty-one next Martinmas, so there's not much time left
for them to try me, I reckon. Well! when Jeremiah said that he
put me up more than ever, and I says, 'My first thoughts, second
thoughts, and third thoughts is all one and the same; you've but
tempted me once, and that was when you spoke of your pig. But of
yoursel' you're nothing to boast on, and so I'll bid you good
night, and I'll keep my manners, or else, if I told the truth, I
should say it had been a great loss of time listening to you.
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