‘Then comes the question, how you are to be disposed of in the meantime?’
‘Could not I go with you?’ she said, under her breath.
‘No, my dear.’ And somehow the tone had more tenderness in it, though it was so explicit. ‘I shall have no fixed residence, no one with whom to leave you; and the climate is not fit for you. Your Aunt Lilias has kindly offered to take charge of you.’
‘Oh, father!’
‘Well?’
‘If you would only let me stay here with Caroline and Fraulein. I like it so much better.’
‘That cannot be, Dolly. I have this morning promised to let the house as it is to Mr. Smithson.’
‘And Caroline?’
‘If Caroline takes my advice, she will remain here as his housekeeper, and I think she will. Well, what is it? You do not mean that you would prefer going to your Aunts Jane and Ada?’
‘Oh no, no; only if I might go to school.’