“I don't know—I might have done. But your remarks seem to produce some salutary effect upon me, and that is more than I could say of myself formerly.”
“Then you are improved by misfortune.”
“In some respects, I think I am. But there is considerable room for further improvement.”
“Mr. Liddel, I am convinced you have a great deal of good in you. Only do yourself justice.”
“I will try,” he replied. “But how is it, I must again ask, that you, who are so young, are able to give such sensible advice?”
“I have a good mother,” she replied.
At this very moment Mrs. Hartley came into the room.
“I hope you heard what was said of you, ma'am?” observed Walter. “Your daughter has just been telling me how much she owes you.”
“I owe quite as much to her,” cried the good dame, affectionately. “She is the joy of the house, and I don't know what I shall do when I lose her. But I suppose I must make up my mind to it one of these days.”
“Not yet, dearest mother,” said Rose.