"Dorothy, my dear," said he when the subject of their visitors was under discussion between them, preparatory to further measures, "do you believe in such a thing as 'proper pride'?"
"The world does," said Mrs. Hazelwood, smiling.
"But the world isn't you; do you think pride can be 'proper' in any shape? I want to know."
"No, surely not, dear husband."
"Then a fig for the world's opinion; so tell Mrs. Falconer just your mind about it, Dorothy."
"But, Roger, there is such a thing as self-respect, you know, and we must not ask Mrs. Falconer to sacrifice that, if such should be her view of it. What would you like me and Evelyn to do, if we were situated as she is?" And the fair face clouded a little, and the Squire looked considerably perplexed.
"That superintendency scheme does not please me, at any rate," said he at last; "she will never be strong enough for that, so oppose it with all your might and main."
"I will, dear husband; and if, as I am nearly sure, she will not consent to be without employment somewhere, I think even self-respect will not stand in the way of your plan."
"My plan, Dolly! Why, the better half of it came out of your own little head or heart, or both; and really I do admire your substitution of 'self-respect' for 'proper pride,'—it sounds more like Christianity; but let us take care we don't mistake the one for the other. And warn her gently, you know, not to take counsel with that young pepper-corn of a lad of hers. He has pride enough for the whole peerage if I'm not greatly mistaken, but if she takes him back to London, I don't believe he'll live long to be troubled by it."
Mrs. Hazelwood was of the same opinion, for the delicate appearance of the boy had troubled her almost as much as that of his mother, and having now a definite line of action in view, such as under similar circumstances she would accept for herself, the way was clear to meet Mrs. Falconer's next attempt to introduce the subject of departure from the Moat.