PIKE

[looking up for a moment, mildly]

Oh, I wouldn't call it a misunderstanding.

HAWCASTLE

It would ill become a father to press upon the subject of his son's merits—

PIKE

[plaintively]

I don't want to talk about him with you—I don't want to hurt your feelings.[pg 102]

HAWCASTLE

Perhaps I might better put it on the ground of your ward's wishes—of certain advantages of position which it is her ambition to attain.