I know.'

'I never,' Mark replied, in some confusion, 'said nothing as was in a
direct way courting-like to her, nor she to me, but I don't know what I
mightn't do one of these odd times, and what she mightn't say in answer.
Well, sir, THAT wouldn't suit.'

'Not to be landlord of the Dragon, Mark?' cried Mr Pinch.

'No, sir, certainly not,' returned the other, withdrawing his gaze from
the horizon, and looking at his fellow-traveller. 'Why that would be the
ruin of a man like me. I go and sit down comfortably for life, and no
man never finds me out. What would be the credit of the landlord of the
Dragon's being jolly? Why, he couldn't help it, if he tried.'

'Does Mrs Lupin know you are going to leave her?' Mr Pinch inquired.

'I haven't broke it to her yet, sir, but I must. I'm looking out this
morning for something new and suitable,' he said, nodding towards the
city.

'What kind of thing now?' Mr Pinch demanded.

'I was thinking,' Mark replied, 'of something in the grave-digging.
way.'

'Good gracious, Mark?' cried Mr Pinch.

'It's a good damp, wormy sort of business, sir,' said Mark, shaking his
head argumentatively, 'and there might be some credit in being jolly,