On entering the drawing-room, Mrs. Thornton was there.
“So you have come at last,” said she, as they shook hands.
“As if I would not come ten times a day if I could,” was the answer, in an impetuous voice.
“Still there is no reason why you should persistently avoid the Grange.”
“What would you say if I followed my own impulse, and came here every day?”
“I would say, Good-morning, Sir. Still, now that you are here, you must stay.”
“I will stay, whether I must or not.”
“Have you recovered from the effect of my prayer-book yet?”
“No, nor ever will I. You brought the same one last Sunday.”
“That was in order to weaken the effect. Familiarity breeds contempt, you know.”