‘And how is my father’s deafness?’ was one of his questions.
‘Worse,’ said Emily. ‘I am afraid all the younger ones will learn to vociferate. He hears no one well but ourselves.’
‘Oh! and Alethea Weston,’ said Lily. ‘Her voice is so clear and distinct, that she hardly ever raises it to make him hear. And have you ever heard her sing?’
‘Yes, she sings very well. I cannot think why you never told me they were living here.’
‘Because you never honour us with your correspondence,’ said Emily; ‘if you had vouchsafed to write to your sisters you could not have escaped hearing of the Westons.’
‘And has Mr. Weston given up the law?’
‘No, he only came home in the vacation,’ said Emily. ‘Did you know they had lost two daughters?’
‘I saw it in the paper. Emma and Lucy were nice girls, but not equal to Miss Weston. What a shock to Mrs. Weston!’
‘Yes, she quite lost her health, and the doctors said she must move into the country directly. Mrs. Carrington, who is some distant connection, told them of this place, and they took it rather hastily.’
‘Do they like it?’