“Will you help?” he asked, stopping suddenly with a look that made her stand up straight and strong as she answered with an eager voice: “I will.”
“Then don't love him yet.”
That startled her, but she asked steadily, though her heart began to beat and her color to come: “Why not?”
“Firstly, because no woman should give her happiness into the keeping of a man without fixed principles; secondly, because the hope of being worthy of you will help him more than any prayers or preaching of mine. Thirdly, because it will need all our wit and patience to undo the work of nearly four and twenty years. You understand what I mean?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Can you say 'no' when he asks you to say 'yes' and wait a little for your happiness?”
“I can.”
“And will you?”
“I will.”
“Then I'm satisfied, and a great weight taken off my heart. I can't help seeing what goes on, or trembling when I think of you setting sail with no better pilot than poor Charlie. Now you answer as I hoped you would, and I am proud of my girl!”