Moreover, they had been brought up together.

She understood him, and in the midst of so much that was uncertain and bewildering she seemed something genuine and solid, something to which a man could cling.

It may not have been a right spirit in which to approach this question of marriage, but in the case of a young man like Morris, who was driven forward by no passion, by no scheme even of personal advancement, this substitution of reason for impulse and instinct was perhaps natural.
"Very well, I will," he answered; "but if she is wise, she won't." His father turned his head away and sighed softly, and that sigh seemed to lift a ton's weight off his heart.
"I am glad to hear it," he answered simply, "the rest must settle itself.

By the way, if you are going up to the house, tell the cook that I have changed my mind, we will have the soles fried with lemon; she always makes a mess of them 'au maitre d'hotel.'".