"Old Sutton's opinion is of small importance."
Julia was silent, not satisfied.
"Well, is that all you want?" he asked.
"No; may I say more? You won't be vexed, will you? I am not business-like, I know, but it does sometimes seem to me as if things were not right. About Hermione, I mean. It seems as if she ought to have something more of her own. I can't help the feeling; though of course I would not allow it to any one in the world except you."
"I hope not!" escaped her husband.
"No, of course; but still I have the feeling. I know that you are not in any way bound. As I told Mittie, it is sheer kindness that makes you give Hermione a home at all. Still I can't help fancying that she really had reason to expect more from her grandfather, and that she must be disappointed. And then there comes the question—if he didn't do his duty, ought we not to do it for him? I suppose different people would look upon it differently. But there must be a right and a wrong. It isn't only a question of what one is obliged to do, but of what one ought to do? Don't you see what I mean?"
"You certainly are suffering from some confusion of ideas, Julia," her husband said. He was collected now, and able to speak in his usual manner. "But, as you say, you are not business-like. When women touch upon money matters they are apt to go astray."
"Yes, on the mere business part of it. I don't think this is mere business. It is a question of actual right and wrong."
"If any wrong was done to Hermione, my uncle was responsible."
"But you stand in his place now," Julia said slowly.