“I have tried to do my duty by our sister.”
“You’ve done more, my lad. Now take care that she leaves Louy alone. You don’t want another old maid of her pattern in the family.”
“John is awake now, George Vine,” said Mrs Van Heldre, re-entering the room.
“Will you go up?”
“Yes, I’ll go up,” said George Vine quietly.
“Well, aren’t I to be asked to see him?” grumbled Uncle Luke.
“Oh, what a strange man you are!” said Mrs Van Heldre; “you know I wanted you to go up.”
“No, I don’t; I know you asked me to go up. Different thing altogether.”
“I did want you to go. I felt that it would cheer up poor John.”
“Well, don’t be cross about it, woman. Ask me again.”