'You don't think he's a scamp. Then you mean to have him, I suppose?' said Mr Prothero.
'I didn't say that, father. But I don't see why I may not speak to my own cousin.'
Every one was surprised at Netta's answers. Like her father, she could talk better before numbers. She had done nothing but cry when her mother had reasoned with her.
'Very well, miss. All I can say is, that if you meet him again I'll—I'll—I'll—' the good farmer did not know what he would do. He was not prepared to say.
'He is gone to London, father,'
'Will you promise not to meet him any more, you good-for-nothing girl, you? You most disobedient daughter!'
Again Netta was silent.
'Will you promise your father, Netta,' said Mrs Prothero, gently, 'not to meet Howel again, or have anything to say to him, without his consent?'
Still Netta was silent.
'He may reform, you know,' suggested Mrs Jonathan, 'and then you may be allowed to marry,'