"Mistress Patience is older than you by several years. I call you Clara, because you are but a little girl; but I must not take that liberty with Mistress Heatherstone."
"Do you think so, Patience?" said Clara.
"I certainly do not think that it would be a liberty in a person, after being well acquainted with me, to call me Patience," replied she; "especially when that person lives in the house with us, eats and associates with us as one of the family, and is received on an equality; but I dare say, Clara, that Master Armitage will be guided by his own feelings, and act as he considers to be proper."
"But you give him leave, and then it is proper," replied Clara.
"Yes, if he gave himself leave, Clara," said Patience. "But we will now show him his own room, Clara," continued Patience, wishing to change the subject of conversation. "Will you follow us, sir?" said Patience, with a little mock ceremony.
Edward did so without replying, and was ushered into a large airy room, very neatly furnished.
"This is your future lodging," said Patience; "I hope you will like it."
"Why, he never saw any thing like it before," said Clara.
"Yes I have, Clara," replied Edward.
"Where did you?"