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LOVER OR BROTHER?
19

spoken words that I might listen to if I knew what to do about Steve."

"Do you mean me to understand that Jonathan Burley has asked you to marry him?"

"To be sure I mean that. I am a decent lass, sir, and he would say no wrong word to me."

"You would be a very rich woman, Sarah, and could do a deal of good."

"But not to Steve, there is no love between Steve and Burley. If I married Burley, Steve would go, and I know not where to. He would niver have bite, nor sup, nor day's work from him, and Burley would fret none if he thought I was rid o' the charge o' Steve!"

"And you think Steve needs you? Is that it?"

"I'm sure that Steve needs me. There's nobody loves him but me. I keep a home for him to come to when he's tired out, and if I didn't listen to his fiddling, and his tales o' all he's seen and read, why he'd varry soon find public-houses where he and his fiddle would be more than welcome. I'm sure o' that sir."

"You are very likely right, Sarah. Now, do you love Jonathan Burley?"