“That will be what it should be. Mrs. Brodie, I feel, will be my stepmother; and–––”
“She will never step past thee. Fear not!”
“Nor will any one––man or woman––step between thee and me! Doubt me not!”
“Well, then, have thy way. I give thee my word to take thee to Edinburgh in the autumn. Thou shalt either stay with Mrs. Brodie or at the Queen’s Hotel on Prince’s Street, with old Adam Vedder.”
“Best of all is thy last offer. I will stay with thee. I am used to men’s society. Women bore me.”
“Women bore me also.”
“Know this, there are three women who do not bore thee. Shall I speak their names?”
“I will not hinder thee.”
“Sunna Vedder?”