"Everett is a fool," said Mr. Wharton as soon as he had read the letter.
"Why is he a fool, papa?"
"Because he will quarrel with Sir Alured about politics before he knows where he is. What business has a young fellow like that to have an opinion either one side or the other, before his betters?"
"But Everett always had strong opinions."
"It didn't matter as long as he only talked nonsense at a club in London, but now he'll break that old man's heart."
"But, papa, don't you see anything else?"
"I see that John Fletcher is going to make an ass of himself and spend a thousand a year in keeping up a pack of hounds for other people to ride after."
"I think I see something else besides that."
"What do you see?"
"Would it annoy you if Everett were to become engaged to Mary?"