“Thank you, papa. I know you will do all that is kind.”
“Mind, you must not consider it an engagement, unless all be satisfactory.”
“I will do as you please.”
Ethel perceived that something was in agitation, but the fact did not break upon her till she came to Margaret, after the schoolroom reading, and heard Dr. May declaiming away in the vehement manner that always relieved him.
“Such a cub!” These were the words that met her ear; and she would have gone away, but he called her. “Come in, Ethel; Margaret says you guessed at this affair!”
“At what affair!” exclaimed Ethel. “Oh, it is about Flora. Poor man; has he done it?”
“Poor! He is not the one to be pitied!” said her father.
“You don’t mean that she likes him?”
“She does though! A fellow with no more brains than a turnip lantern!”
“She does not mean it?” said Ethel.