"I suppose it must be answered," said Mrs. Ray.
"Oh, yes; of course it should be answered."
"And who should write it, Mr. Comfort?"
"Let Rachel write it herself. Let her tell him that she is not prepared to correspond with him as yet, any further that is, you understand, than the writing of that letter."
"And about,—about,—about what he says as to loving her, you know? There has been a sort of promise between them, Mr. Comfort, and no young man could have spoken more honestly than he did."
"And he meant honestly, no doubt; but you see, Mrs. Ray, it is necessary to be so careful in these matters! It is quite evident his mother doesn't wish this marriage."
"And he shouldn't have called her a goose; should he?"
"I don't think much about that."
"Don't you, now?"
"It was all meant in good-humour. But she thinks it a bad marriage for him as regards money, and money considerations always go so far, you know. And then he's away, and you've got no hold upon him."