"Nor can I ask him to drive a bargain."
"How much would he give her—to be married?"
"Why should he give her anything? He feeds her and gives her clothes. It is only fit that the truth should be explained to you. Girls so circumstanced, when they are clothed and fed by their own fathers, must be married without fortunes or must remain unmarried. As Sophie, and Georgina, and Minna, and Brenda come up, the same requests will be made."
"Poor Potsey!" said the mother. For Potsey was a plain girl.
"If this be done for Amelia, must it not be done for all of them? Papa is not a rich man, but he has been very generous. Is it fair to ask him for five hundred pounds to give to—Mr. Juniper?"
"A gentleman nowadays does not like not to get something."
"Then a gentleman must go where something is to be got. The truth has to be told, Aunt Carroll. My father is willing enough to do what he can for you and the girls, but I do not think that he will give five hundred pounds to Mr. Juniper."
"It is once for all. Four hundred pounds, perhaps, would do."
"I do not think that he can make a bargain, nor that he will pay any sum to Mr. Juniper."
"To get one of them off would be so much! What is to become of them? To have one married would be the way for others. Oh, Dorothy, if you would only think of my condition! I know your papa will do what you tell him."