I know I ought not to come down here; and I don't think I will any more.' 'Not come down here!' said Mrs.Woodward.

'Why not?
There's very little expense in that.

I dare say you'd spend quite as much in London.' 'Oh--of course--three times as much, perhaps; that is, if I had it--but I don't mean that.' 'What do you mean ?' said she.
Charley walked on in silence, with melancholy look, very crestfallen, his thumbs stuck into his waistcoat pockets.
'Upon my word I don't know what you mean,' said Mrs.Woodward.

'I should have thought coming to Hampton might perhaps--perhaps have kept you--I don't exactly mean out of mischief.' That, however, in spite of her denial, was exactly what Mrs.Woodward did mean.
'So it does--but--' said Charley, now thoroughly ashamed of himself.
'But what ?' said she.
'I am not fit to be here,' said Charley; and as he spoke his manly self-control all gave way, and big tears rolled down his cheeks.
Mrs.Woodward, in her woman's heart, resolved, that if it might in any way be possible, she would make him fit, fit not only to be there, but to hold his head up with the best in any company in which he might find himself.
She questioned him no further then.

Her wish now was not to torment him further, but to comfort him.