"It isn't that;—it isn't that, at any rate, as yet."
"What be it, then?"
"The personal countenance and friendship of some friend that loves her. You love your sister, Mr. Brattle?"
"I don't know as I does, Muster Fenwick."
"You used to, and you must still pity her."
"She's been and well-nigh broke the hearts of all on us. There wasn't one of us as wasn't respectable, till she come up;—and now there's Sam. But a boy as is bad ain't never so bad as a girl."
It must be understood that in the expression of this opinion Mr. Brattle was alluding, not to the personal wickedness of the wicked of the two sexes, but to the effect of their wickedness on those belonging to them.
"And therefore more should be done to help a girl."
"I'll stand the money, Muster Fenwick,—if it ain't much."
"What is wanted is a home in your own house."