“You can’t do away with the ties of blood,” said Mrs Winn; “the child’s his grandchild. You can’t ignore that.”
“Why should you want to ignore it?” asked Delia, suddenly raising her eyes and looking straight at her.
The attack was so unexpected that Mrs Winn had no answer ready. She remained speechless, with her large grey eyes wider open than usual, for quite a minute before she said, “These are matters, Delia, which you are too young to understand.”
“Perhaps I am,” answered Delia; “but I can understand one thing very well, and that is, that Mr Goodwin is a grandfather that any one ought to be proud of, and that, if his relations are not proud of him, it is because they’re not worthy of him.”
“Oh, well,” said Miss Gibbins, shaking her head rather nervously as she looked at Delia, “we all know what a champion Mr Goodwin has in you, Delia. ‘Music with its silver sound’ draws you together, as Shakespeare says. And, of course, we’re all proud of our organist in Dornton, and, of course, he has great talent. Still, you know, when all’s said and done, he is a music-master, and in quite a different position from the Forrests.”
“Socially,” said Mrs Winn, placing her large, white hand flat on the table beside her, to emphasise her words, “Mr Goodwin is not on the same footing. When Delia is older she will know what that means.”
“I know it now,” replied Delia. “I never consider them on the same footing at all. There are plenty of clergymen everywhere, but where could you find any one who can play the violin like Mr Goodwin?”
She fixed her eyes with innocent inquiry on Mrs Winn. Mrs Hurst bridled a little.
“I do think,” she said, “that clergymen occupy a position quite apart. I like Mr Goodwin very much. I’ve always thought him a nice old gentleman, and Herbert admires his playing, but—”
“Of course, of course,” said Mrs Winn, “we must be all agreed as to that.—You’re too fond, my dear Delia, of giving your opinion on subjects where ignorance should keep you silent. A girl of your age should try to behave herself, lowly and reverently, to all her betters.”