'His obstinacy never troubled you,' said the mother. 'Pitt was always like that, but never for anything bad.'
'It's for something foolish, then; and that will do as well.'
'Did you sound him?'
'Yes!'
'And what did he say?'
'Said he must see Esther Gainsborough first, confound him!'
'Esther Gainsborough! But he tried and could not find them.'
'He will try on the other side now. He'll waste his time running all over England to discover the family place; and then he will know that there is more looking to be done in America.'
'And he talked of coming over next year! Husband, he must not come. We must go over there.'
'Next summer. Yes, that is the only thing to do.'