“That was a varry queer thing for thee to do.”
“I thought so myself even while I was doing it—but Faith works as she likes with everyone. You can’t say ‘No’ to anything she wants.”
“Such nonsense! I’m fairly astonished at thee.”
“Have you ever seen Faith, mother?”
“Not I! It is none o’ my place to visit a Methodist preacher’s daughter.”
“Everybody visits her—rich and poor. If you once meet her she can bring you back to her as often as she wishes.”
“Such women are very dangerous people to know. I’d give her a wide border. Keep thyself to thyself.”
“I am going to London. Maybe, mother, I ought to tell you that our Dick is in love with Faith Foster. I am sure he is. I do not see how he can help it.”
“Dick and his father will hev that matter to settle, and there is enough on hand at present—what with mills, and steam, and working men, not to speak of rebellion, and hunger, and sore poverty. Dick’s love affairs can wait awhile. He hes been in love with one and twenty perfect beauties already. Some of them were suitable fine girls, of good family, and Lucy Todd and Amy Schofield hed a bit of money of their awn. Father and I would hev been satisfied with either o’ them, but Dick shied off from both and went silly about that French governess that was teaching the Saville girls.”
“I do not think Dick will shy off from Faith Foster. I am sure that he has never yet dared to say a word of love to her.”