"Nothing was further from my intention than to offend you.

I have not a doubt that shopkeepers are a most respectable class in their way--" "Excuse me, dear Mrs.Redmain," said Mary again, "but you quite mistake me.

I am not in the least offended.

I don't care what you think of the class.

There are a great many shopkeepers who are anything but respectable--as bad, indeed, as any of the nobility." "I was not thinking of morals," answered Hesper.