"I came because I had to see for myself what sort of a place you were in. I had a notion that it wasn't good enough. It isn't. You can't be comfortable in it, through the most of the year. Neither can Madam Chase."
"We can be perfectly comfortable." She spoke quickly and decidedly. "You know absolutely that I wouldn't sacrifice what is dearest to me in the world for the sake of having my own way. The little house is primitive, but Granny can be made as snug in it as in any stone mansion."
"The thing may tumble down about your ears in the first high wind."
"It will not. Dr. Burns went over it thoroughly, and says it is much more substantial than it looks."
"Dr. Burns! May I ask who the gentleman is?"
"My neighbour across the street. He is devoted to Granny, and had as many fears as you could have before he tested the house."
"Is he married?"
"Certainly." It was impossible to help laughing a little at his tone, which was that of a jealous boy.
"Thank heaven for that! I'm suspicious of men who are devoted to your grandmother, charming old lady though she is. But, in spite of Dr. Burns's invaluable opinion, I must beg to differ with him. You can't be comfortable in that chicken-coop through the winter."
"I don't know," Charlotte said slowly, sitting up very straight in the twilight, and looking steadily in front of her, "that you have any right to care whether we are comfortable or not."