Some think it is enough to say yes and no, to the questions of the
magistrate, or of the parson, if one happens to be handy, in order to
make a quiet house; but I think that where a young woman's mind is
fairly bent on going in a certain direction, it will be quite as
prudent to let her body follow. Not that I mean to say Ellen was not
altogether forced to what she did, and therefore she is just as
innocent, in this matter, as yonder jackass, who was made to carry
her, and greatly against his will, too, as I am ready to swear he
would say himself, if he could speak as loud as he can bray."
"Nelly," resumed the squatter, who paid very little attention to what
Paul considered a highly creditable and ingenious vindication, "Nelly,
this is a wide and a wicked world, on which you have been in such a
hurry to cast yourself. You have fed and you have slept in my camp for
a year, and I did hope that you had found the free air of the borders,
enough to your mind to wish to remain among us."
"Let the girl have her will," muttered Esther, from the rear; "he, who
might have persuaded her to stay, is sleeping in the cold and naked
prairie, and little hope is left of changing her humour; besides, a
woman's mind is a wilful thing, and not easily turned from its
waywardness, as you know yourself, my man, or I should not be here the
mother of your sons and daughters.
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