“Now, don’t you think, Ma dear,” said the Minor Canon to his mother one day as she sat at her knitting in his little book-room, “that you are rather hard on Mr. Neville?”
“No, I do not, Sept,” returned the old lady.
“Let us discuss it, Ma.”
“I have no objection to discuss it, Sept. I trust, my dear, I am always open to discussion.” There was a vibration in the old lady’s cap, as though she internally added: “and I should like to see the discussion that would change my mind!”
“Very good, Ma,” said her conciliatory son. “There is nothing like being open to discussion.”
“I hope not, my dear,” returned the old lady, evidently shut to it.
“Well! Mr. Neville, on that unfortunate occasion, commits himself under provocation.”
“And under mulled wine,” added the old lady.
“I must admit the wine. Though I believe the two young men were much alike in that regard.”
“I don’t,” said the old lady.