I wish to get the property, and as I feel that that
can't be done without marrying their milk-and-curd of a daughter, why,
it is my intention to marry her accordingly."
"Then you don't marry a wife to be happy with her?"
"In one sense not I--in another I do; I shall make myself happy with her
property."
"Indeed, Harry, to tell you the truth, there is very little happiness in
married life, and they are only fools that expect it. You see how I am
treated by Lindsay and my own children."
"Well, but you provoke them--why disturb yourself with them? Why not
pass through life as quietly as you can? Imitate Lindsay."
"What! make a sot of myself--become a fool, as he is?"
"Then, why did you marry him?"
"Because I was the fool then, but I have suffered for it. Why, he
manages this property as if it wasn't mine--as if I didn't bring it to
him. Think of a man who is silly enough to forgive a tenant his gale
of rent, provided he makes a poor mouth, and says he is not able to pay
it."
"But I see no harm in that either; if the man is not able to pay, how
can he? What does Lindsay do but make a virtue of necessity.
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