The Doctor adopted a plan for soothing Mrs.Portman's ruffled countenance, which has a great effect when it is tried between a worthy couple who are sincerely fond of one another; and which, I think, becomes 'John Anderson' at three-score, just as much as it used to do when he was a black-haired young Jo of five-and-twenty.
"Hadn't you better speak to Mr.Smirke, John ?" Mrs Portman asked.
"When Pen goes to College, cadit quaestio," replied the Rector, "Smirke's visits at Fairoaks will cease of themselves, and there will be no need to bother the widow.

She has trouble enough on her hands, with the affairs of that silly young scapegrace, without being pestered by the tittle-tattle of this place.

It is all an invention of that fool, Fribsby." "Against whom I always warned you,--you know I did, my dear John," interposed Mrs.Portman.
"That you did; you very often do, my love," the Doctor answered with a laugh.

"It is not for want of warning on your part, I am sure, that I have formed my opinion of most women with whom we are acquainted.

Madame Fribsby is a fool, and fond of gossip, and so are some other folks.