"That's what Victor and Lavinia say. But you don't suppose I'm going to stay an old maid all my life to please Victor and Lavinia."
"I haven't thought about it at all," Mamma said.
"They have. I know what they're thinking. But it's all settled. I'm going to Marshall and Snelgrove's for my things. There's a silver-grey poplin in their window. If I decide on it, Caroline, you shall have my grey watered silk."
"You needn't waggle your big beard at me, Emilius," Aunt Charlotte said.
Papa pretended that he hadn't heard her and began to talk to Uncle
Victor.
"Did you read John Bright's speech in Parliament last night?"
Uncle Victor said, "I did."
"What did you think of it?"
Uncle Victor raised his shoulders and his eyebrows and spread out his thin, small hands.
"A man with a face like that," Aunt Charlotte said, "oughtn't to be in
Parliament."