6/25 I ain't surprised at Thyrza doin' of under-handed things; I've never liked her over-much. But I thought better of Lydia.' 'I've not quarrelled with _them_,' said Mr.Bower, magnanimously. 'And girls must look out for themselves, and do the best for themselves they can. But that soft-spoken, sneaking Hegremont! You should a' seen him when he had the cheek to tell me about it; you'd a' thought he was going to give me a five-pound note.' 'Now, you'll see,' said Mrs.Bower, 'they'll take off old Boddy to live with them.' 'So much the better. He can't earn his living much longer, and who was to pay us for his lodging and keep, I'd like to know ?' Thus did the worthy pair link together conjectural cause and effect, on principles which their habit of mind dictated. |