“And I’m not going to tell it to him, my dear; but it’s just as I felt. It was only last night, when she had that fit of hysterical sobbing, I said to myself, Now if I had a dozen girls—as I should have liked to, instead of a boy, who is really a terrible trial to one, Mr Leigh—I should—”
“Maria!”
“Yes, my dear; but you should let me finish. If poor dear Kate had come here and found a lot of girls she would have been as happy as the day is long.—And you don’t think she wants physic, Mr Leigh? No, no, don’t hurry away.”
“I have given you my opinion, madam,” said Leigh, who had risen.
“Yes, and I’m sure it is right. I did give her some fluid magnesia yesterday, the same as I take for my acidity—”
“Woman, will you hold your tongue!” cried Wilton.
“No, James, certainly not. It is my duty, as poor Kate’s aunt, to do what is best for her; and you should not speak to me like that before a stranger. I don’t know what he will think. The fluid magnesia would not do her any harm, would it, Mr Leigh?”
“Not the slightest, madam; and I feel sure that with a little motherly attention and such a course of change as I prescribed, Miss Wilton will soon be well.”
“There, James, we must have the Morrison girls to stay here with her. They are musical and—”
“We shall have nothing of the kind, Maria,” said her husband, with asperity.