"Oh, no," said Fanny; "they do not think you bad; they said with any gentleman."
"Too young, are you?" said Dr. Lacey. "How old are you, Fanny?"
"I was sixteen last May," she replied.
"Sixteen; just as old as Anna was when she died, and just as old as my mother was when she was married; so it seems you are not too young to die, or to be married either, if you are too young to go out with me," said Dr. Lacey.
Fanny did not reply; and he continued, "Whom would you have gone with if you had not spent your money this morning for those old aunts?"
Fanny started; and giving him a searching look, was about to reply, when he anticipated her by saying, "Yes, Fanny, I overheard your conversation this morning, and I cannot sufficiently admire your generous self-denial. I have heard Fanny Kemble two or three times, so I did not care to hear her again; but I decided to go for the pleasure of having you hear her; but as you did not choose to go, I have remained here with you, and wish to have you tell me something about your parents and your home, and also wish you to ask me to go there some time."
Fanny answered, hesitatingly, "I am afraid you would not like to go there, Dr. Lacey."
"Why not?" said he. "Do you not like your home?"
"Oh, yes, very much," she replied; "but father is a little [pg 043] odd, and you might feel inclined to laugh at him; but he is very kind, and if you could forget his roughness, you would like him."
"I know I shall like him, just because he is your father," said Dr. Lacey.