Margaret waited for a moment, and then she answered—
"There's nobody so near to me as my own brother's children."
"As to that, Margaret, there isn't much difference in nearness between your uncle and your nephews and nieces. But there's a right and a wrong in these things, and when money is concerned, people are not justified in indulging their fancies. Everything here has been told to you. You know how John is situated with his children. And after what there has been between you and him, and after what there still might be if you would have it so, I own that I am astonished—fairly astonished. Indeed, my dear, I can only look on it as simple weakness on your part. It was but the other day that you told me you had done all that you thought necessary by your brother in taking Susanna."
"But that was when he was alive, and I thought he was doing well."
"The fact is, you have been there and they've talked you over. It can't be that you love children that you never saw till the other day; and as for the woman, you always hated her."
"Whether I love her or hate her has nothing to do with it."
"Margaret, will you promise me this, that you will see Mr Slow and talk to him about it before you do anything?"
"I must see Mr Slow before I can do anything; but whatever he says, I shall do it all the same."
"Will you speak to your uncle?"
"I had rather not."