‘I should be a great hypocrite, if I did not believe the old women and the children far better than myself,’ said Theodora, gravely. ‘But, indeed, trying to make them comfortable would occupy your mind, and interest you till—oh! if it would but help you on the only way to happiness—’
‘Don’t talk of that word any more with me.’
‘If not happiness, it would be peace.’
‘Peace! I don’t know what you mean.’
‘If you watched my sister, you would.’
‘She is happy!’ said Mrs. Finch, in a tone of keen regret, laying her hand on a toy of Johnnie’s; but instantly changing her note, ‘A cold, inanimate piece of wax! That is what you call peace! I would not have it.’
‘You don’t understand her—’
‘I know one thing!’ cried the fitful lady, vehemently; ‘that it is she who governs you all, and wants to divide you from me. ‘Tis she and your Percy who have robbed me of you, with their ill-natured stories.’
‘There is no ill-nature in them, and no one governs me,’ said Theodora.
‘Then you hold fast by me, and come with me?’