“She has in yours and Will’s and Joseph’s, and that’s three parts of the family.”
“Surely, Alice, you’ve not turned jealous?”
“You lightly me, William, when you ask if I am jealous of—of Gillian.”
“I do not comprehend,” murmured the governor, resuming his razor, but presently suspending it to demand with considerable energy,—
“You really mean, then, that as honest and Godfearing guardians of this child we should give her in marriage to this stranger?”
“Yes, I do. When all is said, she is almost as much a stranger as he, and I know not why they should not suit each other well.”
“So be it. I will tell the man, and do you speak as a mother should to the maid. ’Tis not like you, Alice, to be bitter.”
“I shall not love her the better, if you are to chide me on her account, Will.”
“Nay, chide thee, sweetheart! ’Twould ill befit me to chide the better half of mine own life.”