"I am not surprised," rejoined Mary. "He used to be rather foolish, and that is a sign of cleverness—at least, many clever people are foolish, I think."
"You can't have had much opportunity for making the observation, Mary!"
"Clever people think as much of themselves in the country as they do in London, and that is what makes them foolish," returned Mary. "But I used to think Mr. Helmer had very good points, and was worth doing something for—if one only knew what."
"He does not seem to want anything done for him," said Hesper.
"I know one thing you could do for him, and it would be no trouble," said Mary.
"I will do anything for anybody that is no trouble," answered Hesper. "I should like to know something that is no trouble."
"It is only, the next time you ask him, to ask his wife," said Mary.
"He is married, then?" returned Hesper with indifference. "Is the woman presentable? Some shopkeeper's daughter, I suppose!"
Mary laughed. "You don't imagine the son of a lawyer would be likely to marry a shopkeeper's daughter!" she said.
"Why not?" returned Hesper, with a look of non-intelligence.