“See Piers for me, and tell him of the promise I made to you. Say I cannot break it, but that I send, by you, my thanks for his letter, and my love forever more.”
“I can’t tell him about ‘love forever more,’ Kitty. That won’t do at all.”
“Tell him, then, that all he says to me I say to him. Dear Father, make that much clear to him.”
“John, do what Kitty asks thee. It isn’t much.”
“A man can’t have his way in this house with two women to coax or bully him out of it. What am I to do?”
“Just what Kitty asks you to do.”
“Please, Father!” And the two words were sent straight to the father’s heart with a kiss and a caress that were irresistible. Three days afterwards the Squire came home from a ride, very much depressed. He was cross with the servant who unbuttoned his gaiters, and he looked resentfully at Mrs. Atheling as she entered the room.
“A nice message I was sent,” he said to her as soon as they were alone. “That young man has given me a heart-ache. He has made me think right is wrong. He has made me feel as if I was the wickedest father in Yorkshire. And I know, in my soul, that I am doing right; and that there isn’t a better father in the three kingdoms.”