"He is not so frank and open. I don't want to say anything against him—I like Percival—but I wish he were not quite so reserved."
"What next?" said Mr. Thorne with a short laugh. "Why, only this morning you said he talked more than Horace."
"Talked? Oh yes, Percival can talk, and about himself too," said Mrs. Middleton with a smile. "But he can keep his secrets all the time. I don't want to say anything against him: I like him very much—"
"No doubt," said Mr. Thorne.
"But I don't feel quite sure that I know him. He isn't like Horace. You know Horace's friends—"
"Trust me for that."
"But what do you know of Percival's? I heard him tell Sissy he would be out to-morrow. Will you ever know where he went?"
"I sha'n't ask him."
"No," she retorted, "you dare not! Isn't it a rule that no one is ever to question Percival?"
"And while I'm master here it shall be obeyed. It's the least I can do. The boy shall come and go, speak or hold his tongue, as he pleases. No one shall cross him—Horace least of all—while I'm master here, Harriet; but that won't be very long."