Walter Learns to Say No.
“Betray mean terror of ridicule,—thou shalt find fools enough to mock thee:—
“But answer thou their laughter with contempt, and the scoffers shall lick thy feet.”
Martin Farquhar Tupper.
(In Edith’s handwriting.)
Selwick Hall, March the ii.
Never, methinks, saw I any so changed as our Milly by the illness and death of poor Blanche. From being the merriest of all us, methinks she is become well-nigh the saddest. I count it shall pass in time, but she is not like Milisent at this present. All we, indeed, have much felt the same: but none like her. I never did reckon her so much to love Blanche.
I have marvelled divers times of late, what did bring Robin Lewthwaite here so oft; and I did somewhat in mine own mind, rhyme his name with Milisent’s, for all (as I find on looking) my damsel hath set down never a time he came. The which, as methinks, is somewhat significant. So I was little astonied this afternoon to be asked of Robin, as we two were in the garden, if I reckoned Milisent had any care touching him.
“Thou wist, Edith,” saith he, “I did alway love her: but when yon rogue came in the way betwixt that did end all by the beguilement of our poor Blanche, I well-nigh gave up all hope, for methought she were fair enchanted by him.”
“I think she so were, for a time, Robin,” said I, “until she saw verily what manner of man he were: and that it were not truly he that she had loved, but the man she had accounted him.”
“Well,” saith Robin, “I would like to be the man she accounted him. Thinkest there is any chance?”
“Thou wist I can but guess,” I made answer, “for Milisent is very close of that matter, though she be right open on other: but I see no reason, Robin, wherefore thou shouldst not win her favour, and I do ensure thee I wish thee well therein.”