"Why did you not consult me?"
Her mother would have been the one to speak to about it, and her mother had been too ill. Remembering this, Matilda stood silent and her eyes filled.
"You have been intending it for these two months past?"
"Yes, Aunt Candy; and before."
"Well, then, why did you not speak to me?"
"I spoke to Mr. Richmond."
"Mr. Richmond might have had the courtesy, himself." (Which Mr. Richmond had meant to do, but various pressing matters had prevented.) "But you ought to have spoken to me, Matilda. You are too young a child to take such responsibility."
Matilda did not think of anything to say to this.
"I do not think you understand what you have been doing."
"I think I do, Aunt Candy."