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'
‘Is there anything more you want, Sir?’ inquired the widow, rather
puzzled by Tom's manner. '‘Why, yes,’ said Tom. ‘My dear ma'am, will
you have the kindness to sit down for one moment?’
'
The widow looked much amazed, but she sat down, and Tom sat
down too, close beside her. I don't know how it happened, gentlemen -
indeed my uncle used to tell me that Tom Smart said he didn't know
how it happened either - but somehow or other the palm of Tom's
hand fell upon the back of the widow's hand, and remained there
while he spoke.
'‘My dear ma'am,’ said Tom Smart - he had always a great notion of
committing the amiable - ’my dear ma'am, you deserve a very excellent
husband - you do indeed.’
'
‘Lor, Sir!’ said the widow - as well she might; Tom's mode of
commencing the conversation being rather unusual, not to say
startling; the fact of his never having set eyes upon her before the
previous night being taken into consideration. ‘Lor, Sir!’
'‘I scorn to flatter, my dear ma'am,’ said Tom Smart. ‘You deserve a
very admirable husband, and whoever he is, he'll be a very lucky
man.’ As Tom said this, his eye involuntarily wandered from the
widow's face to the comfort around him.
'
The widow looked more puzzled than ever, and made an effort to rise.
Tom gently pressed her hand, as if to detain her, and she kept her
seat. Widows, gentlemen, are not usually timorous, as my uncle used
to say.
'
‘I am sure I am very much obliged to you, Sir, for your good opinion,’
said the buxom landlady, half laughing; ‘and if ever I marry again - ’
'
‘IF,’ said Tom Smart, looking very shrewdly out of the right- hand
corner of his left eye. ‘IF - ’ ‘'Well,’ said the widow, laughing outright
this time, ‘WHEN I do, I hope I shall have as good a husband as you
describe.’
'
'
'
'
‘Jinkins, to wit,’ said Tom.
‘Lor, sir!’ exclaimed the widow.
‘Oh, don't tell me,’ said Tom, ‘I know him.’
‘I am sure nobody who knows him, knows anything bad of him,’ said
the widow, bridling up at the mysterious air with which Tom had
spoken.
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