“Then can’t you three be sensible?”
“What do you mean now, Von?” said the boys.
“Why can’t you make the best of it? Don’t hunt the poor lady into her grave by being snappish and making the worst of everything. Just give her a fair trial—start her honest, don’t you understand?”
Alex stared; Charley blinked his eyes.
I said slowly, “I don’t mean to be unkind; I mean to be kind. I am not going to say a word to father—I mean not a word of reproach—”
“Much use if you did!” muttered Alex.
“But, all the same,” I said very distinctly, “not for a single instant will I love her. She can come and take her place, and I will try to do what she wishes, but I will never love her—never!”
“Hurrah!” said Charley.
“Quite right, Dumps; you show spirit,” cried Alex.
But Von Marlo looked dissatisfied.