“Thing as what?” cried the doctor.
“As to send a gentleman on to our house where Milly’s all alone. It doesn’t seem prudent.”
“What, not to ask a friend to look in and lift the cucumber-light?”
“But, with Milly all alone; and I never leave her without feeling that something is going to happen.”
“Pish! fudge! stuff!” cried the doctor. “I never did see such a woman as you are. I declare you think of nothing but courting. You ought to be ashamed of yourself at your time of life.”
“Now, you ought not to speak like that, my dear. It’s very wrong of you, for it’s not true. Of course I feel anxious about Millicent, as every prudent woman should.”
“Anxious! What is there to be anxious about? Such nonsense! Do you think Bayle is a wolf in sheep’s clothing?”
“No, of course I don’t. Mr Bayle is a most amiable, likeable young man, and I feel quite surprised how I’ve taken to him. I thought it quite shocking at first when he came, he seemed so young; but I like him now very much indeed.”
“And yet you would not trust him to go to the house when we were away. For shame, old lady! for shame!”
“I do wish you would not talk to me like that, my dear. I never know whether you are in earnest or joking.”