“Oh, you little black-hearted thing!”
“I know human nature, miss,” said the urchin, pompously; “I have read Miss Edgeworth!!!”
He then made an appeal to her candor and good sense. “Now don't you see my friend Mr. Dodd is worth them all put together?”
“I can't quite see that.”
“He is so noble, so kind, so clever.”
“You must own he is a trifle brusk.”
“Never. And, if he is, that is not like hurting people's feelings on purpose, and saying nasty, ill-natured things wrapped up in politeness that you daren't say out like a man, or you'd get kicked. He is a gentleman inside; that Talboys is only one outside; but you girls can't look below the surface.”
“We have not read Miss Edgeworth. His hands are not so white as Mr. Talboys'.”
“Nor his liver, either—oh, you goose! Which has the finest eyes? Why, you don't see such eyes as Mr. Dodd's every day. They are as large as yours, only his are dark.”
“Don't be angry, dear. You must admit his voice is very loud.”