"Uncle, you're a goose; and what is worse, a very provoking goose."
"Niece, you're a gander; and what is worse, a very silly gander. What is Mr Moffat's family to you and me? Mr Moffat has that which ranks above family honours. He is a very rich man."
"Yes," said Mary, "I know he is rich; and a rich man I suppose can buy anything—except a woman that is worth having."
"A rich man can buy anything," said the doctor; "not that I meant to say that Mr Moffat has bought Miss Gresham. I have no doubt that they will suit each other very well," he added with an air of decisive authority, as though he had finished the subject.
But his niece was determined not to let him pass so. "Now, uncle," said she, "you know you are pretending to a great deal of worldly wisdom, which, after all, is not wisdom at all in your eyes."
"Am I?"
"You know you are: and as for the impropriety of discussing Miss Gresham's marriage—"
"I did not say it was improper."
"Oh, yes, you did; of course such things must be discussed. How is one to have an opinion if one does not get it by looking at the things which happen around us?"
"Now I am going to be blown up," said Dr Thorne.