So I did, dear, so I did. But I don’t want to commit my son to the same hazardous experiment.
Esther.
Ah, George, you don’t really love me, or you wouldn’t talk like that.
George.
My dear, I love you to distraction. That’s exactly the difficulty. I am torn between my devotion to you and my abhorrence of your relations. When your father returned from Jersey, and took a lodging close by us, nothing but the warmth of my affection prevented me from leaving you for ever. He is still here, and so am I. What greater proof could you have of the strength of my attachment?
Esther.
Poor father! he could not bear to be away from us. And he has grown so fond of little George! [George shudders.] Father has a good heart.
George.
I wish he had a stronger head.