"No, no. I certainly would not do that. In the first place it would be very inconvenient to you, and in the next place it would not be fair upon us. I did not mean that at all. But I think that something should be done. She should be made to understand."
"You may be sure, ma'am, that she understands as well as anybody."
"I dare say she is clever enough at these kind of things."
"What kind of things?"
"Don't bite my nose off, Frederic, because I am anxious about your wife."
"What is it that you wish me to do? I have written to her, and can only wait for her answer."
"It may be that she feels a delicacy in writing to you on such a subject; though I own—. However, to make a long story short, if you like, I will write to her myself."
"I don't see that that would do any good. It would only give her offence."
"Give her offence, Frederic, to receive a letter from her future mother-in-law;—from me! Only think, Frederic, what you are saying."
"If she thought she was being bullied about this, she would turn rusty at once."