"Then why in the name of common-sense doesn't she jump?"
"She wants to make sure of her ground, perhaps."
"But she knows who I am and who you are, and, surely, it's something to ask a nameless girl to marry into a family like ours."
"I confess I expected she would be more impressed than she is."
"Does she know she's got the tin?"
"I don't think so. She thinks we have the wealth and the position, and everything else."
"And yet she doesn't jump. I'd no idea she'd hold out as she is doing."
"You'll have to humour her, Gervase. I've told you from the first she's not to be driven. Sympathise with her in what you call her heroics. Encourage her in her mental flight after great ideals."
Gervase shook his head, and looked blank. "It's no use, father," he said, despondingly, "I should only make a fool of myself if I tried. Nature never gave me any wings of that sort."
"At any rate, don't contradict her, and call her a goose, and assume the airs of a superior person."