UncleReubendidnotcomehometohisdinner；andhisgranddaughtersaidshehadstrictestordersnevertoexpecthim。Thereforewehadnonetodinewithus，excepttheforemanoftheshop，aworthyman，namedThomasCockram，fiftyyearsofageorso。HeseemedtometohavestrongintentionsofhisownaboutlittleRuth，andonthataccounttoregardmewithawhollyunduemalevolence。Andperhaps，inordertojustifyhim，Imayhavebeenmoreattentivetoherthanotherwiseneedhavebeen；atanyrate，RuthandIwerepleasant；andhetheveryopposite。
’MydearCousinRuth，’Isaid，onpurposetovexMasterCockram，becauseheeyedussoheavily，andsquintedtounluckily，’wehavelongbeenlookingforyouatourPlover’sBarrowsfarm。Yourememberhowyouusedtolovehuntingforeggsinthemorning，andhidingupinthetallatwithLizzie，formetoseekyouamongthehay，whenthesunwasdown。Ah，MasterCockram，thosearethethingsyoungpeoplefindtheirpleasurein，notinsellingayardofserge，andgivingtwopence-halfpennychange，andwriting“settled“atthebottom，withapencilthathasblackedtheirteeth。
Now，MasterCockram，yououghttocomeasfarasourgoodfarm，atonce，andeattwonew-laideggsforbreakfast，andbemadetolookquiteyoungagain。OurgoodAnniewouldcookforyou；andyoushouldhavethehotnewmilkandthepope’seyefromthemutton；andeveryfootofyouwouldbecomeayardinaboutafortnight。’Andhereupon，Ispreadmychest，toshowhimanexample。Ruthcouldnotkeephercountenance：
butIsawthatshethoughtitwrongofme；andwouldscoldme，ifeverIgaveherthechanceoftakingthoselittleliberties。However，hedeserveditall，accordingtomyyoungideas，forhisgreatimpertinenceinaimingatmycousin。
ButwhatIsaidwasfarlessgrievoustoamanofhonestmindthanlittleRuth’sownbehaviour。Icouldhardlyhavebelievedthatsothoroughlytrueagirl，andonesoproudandupright，couldhavegotridofanymansocleverlyasshegotridofMasterThomasCockram。Shegavehimnotevenaglassofwine，butcommendedtohisnotice，withasweetandthoughtfulgravity，someinvoicewhichmustbecorrected，beforeherdeargrandfathershouldreturn；andtoamendwhichthreegreatledgersmustbesearchedfromfirsttolast。ThomasCockramwinkedatme，withtheworstofhistwowrongeyes；asmuchastosay，’Iunderstandit；butIcannothelpmyself。Onlyyoulookout，ifever’——andbeforehehadfinishedwinking，thedoorwasshutbehindhim。ThenRuthsaidtomeinthesimplestmanner，’Youhaveriddenfartoday，CousinRidd；andhavefartoridetogethomeagain。WhatwilldearAuntRiddsay，ifwesendyouawaywithoutnourishment？