‘I did not know that I had shown any objection.’
‘As if you did not impressively say Miss Charlecote on every occasion when you mention me to them.’
‘Well, and is not it more respectful?’
‘That’s not what I want. Where the natural tie is wanting, one should do everything to make up for it.’
‘And you hope to do so by letting yourself be called Honey-pots!’
‘More likely than by sitting up distant and awful to be Miss Charlecoted!’
‘Whatever you might be called must become an endearment,’ said Humfrey, uttering unawares one of the highest compliments she had ever received, ‘and I own I do not like to hear those little chits make so free with your name.’
‘For my sake, or theirs?’
‘For both. There is an old saying about familiarity, and I think you should recollect that, for the children’s own good, it is quite as needful to strengthen respect as affection.’
‘And you think I can do that by fortifying myself with Miss Charlecote? Perhaps I had better make it Mrs. Honora Charlecote at once, and get a high cap, a rod, and a pair of spectacles, eh? No! if they won’t respect me out of a buckram suit, depend upon it they would find out it was a hollow one.’