"Do about her?"
"Yes. You know we were going to adopt her if we liked her enough. And we do like her enough, don't we?"
"I have no paternal feeling for Barbara," said Mr. Waddington. "The parental relation does not appeal to me as desirable or suitable."
"I should have thought, considering her age and your age, it was very suitable indeed."
"Not if it entails obligations that I might regret."
"You're going to provide for her, aren't you? That isn't an obligation, surely, you'll regret?"
"I can provide for her without adopting her."
"How? It's no good just leaving her something in your will."
"I shall continue half her salary," said Mr. Waddington, "as an allowance."
"Yes. But will you give her a marriage portion if she marries?"