A pretty pass the world is coming to ! I 'll never consent to it . '' Perhaps if you had searched Greenwood and all the adjacent districts thoroughly you might have found a man who was more astonished and taken aback than old John Ellis was at that moment , but I doubt it . The wind was completely taken out of his sails and every bit of the Ellis contrariness was roused . `` What have you got to say against my son ? '' he fairly shouted in his rage . `` Is n't he good enough for your girl , Susan Oliver , I 'd like to know ? '' `` No , he is n't , '' retorted Miss Susan deliberately and unflinchingly . `` He 's well enough in his place , but you 'll please to remember , John Ellis , that my niece is an Oliver , and the Olivers do n't marry beneath them . '' Old John was furious . `` Beneath them indeed ! Why , woman , it is condescension in my son to so much as look at your niece -- condescension , that is what it is . You are as poor as church mice . '' `` We come of good family , though , '' retorted Miss Susan . `` You Ellises are nobodies . Your grandfather was a hired man ! And yet you have the presumption to think you 're fit to marry into an old , respectable family like the Olivers . But talking does n't signify . I simply wo n't allow this nonsense to go on . I came here today to tell you so plump and plain .
It 's your duty to stop it ; XXXXX you do n't I will , that 's all . ''
Beneath as at for if in of than that to