‘Nothing you really thought about Laura could shock me,’ said Amy; ‘I don’t mean what you might say in play.’
‘Well, then, shall you think me in play or earnest when I say that I think Laura likes Philip very much?’
‘In play’ said Amy; ‘for you know that if we had not got our own Charlie to show us what a brother is, we should think of Philip as just the same as a brother.’
‘A brother! You are pretending to be more simple than you really are, Amy! Don’t you know what I mean?’
‘O,’ said Amy, her cheeks lighting up, ‘that must be only play, for he has never asked her.’
‘Ah, but suppose she was in the state just ready to be asked?’
‘No, that could never be, for he could never ask her,’
‘Why not, little Amy?’
‘Because we are cousins, and everything,’ said Amy, confused. ‘Don’t talk any more about it, Eva; for though I know it is all play, I don’t like it, and mamma, would not wish me to talk of such things. And don’t you laugh about it, dear Eva, pray; for it only makes every one uncomfortable. Pray!’
Amy had a very persuasive way of saying ‘pray,’ and Eveleen thought she must yield to it. Besides, she respected Laura and Captain Morville too much to resolve to laugh at them, whatever she might do when her fear of the Captain made her saucy.