Maria was about to follow, but Harry stopped her. “Maria,” said he.
Maria stopped, and eyed her father with surprise.
“Maria,” said Harry, bluntly, “your mother and I have been talking about your going away to school.”
Maria turned slightly pale and continued to stare at him, but she said nothing.
“She thinks, and I don't know but she is right,” said Harry, with painful loyalty, “that your associates here are not just the proper ones for you, and that it would be much better for you to go to boarding-school.”
“How much would it cost?” asked Maria, in a dazed voice. The question sounded like her own mother.
“Father can manage that; you need not trouble yourself about that,” replied Harry, hurriedly.
“Where?” said Maria, then.
“To a nice school where your mother was educated.”
“My mother?”