"Hates them as a mad dog hates water; and with the same amount of judgment. We none of us wish to be drowned; but nevertheless there are some good qualities in water."
"But there are no good qualities in popery," said Aunt Letty, with her most extreme energy.
"Are there not?" said Herbert. "I should have thought that belief in Christ, belief in the Bible, belief in the doctrine of a Saviour's atonement, were good qualities. Even the Mahommedan's religion has some qualities that are good."
"I would sooner be a Mahommedan than a Papist," said Aunt Letty, somewhat thoughtlessly, but very stoutly.
"You would alter your opinion after the first week in a harem," said Herbert. And then there was a burst of laughter, in which Aunt Letty herself joined. "I would sooner go there than go to confession," she whispered to Mary, as they all walked off to dinner.
"And how is the Lady Clara's arm?" asked Mary, as soon as they were again once more round the fire.
"The Lady Clara's arm is still very blue," said Herbert.
"And I suppose it took you half an hour to weep over it?" continued his sister.
"Exactly, by Shrewsbury clock."
"And while you were weeping over the arm, what happened to the hand? She did not surrender it, did she, in return for so much tenderness on your part?"