“My dear,” said she, “is the corner-house in perfectly good repair at present?”
“I believe so. It was thoroughly set to rights when Mr Hope went into it, and again after the riot; and I have heard no complaint since.”
“Ah! after the riot; that is what I wanted to know. The surgery is well fitted up, is it?”
“No doubt. The magistrates took care that everything should be done handsomely. Mr Hope was fully satisfied.”
“He was: then there seems no doubt that Mr Walcot had better remove to the corner-house when the Hopes go away. It is made to be a surgeon’s residence: and I own I do not like to see those blinds of Mr Walcot’s, with that staring word ‘Surgery,’ upon them, in the windows of my poor mother’s breakfast-room.”
“Nor I: but the Hopes are not going to remove.”
“I believe they will be leaving Deerbrook before long.”
“I believe not.”
“My dear Mr Rowland, I have reason for what I say.”
“So have I. Take care of that little thumb of yours, my darling, or you will be cracking it instead of the walnut.”