"I am sure he is the soul of virtue.

But how comes it that the devoted Muriel can tear herself from his side to go a-larking on the Continent with the grim and masterful Dr.Jim ?" "Oh, I thought you knew that.

It is for the child's benefit.

Poor little Reggie has a delicate chest, and Redlands doesn't altogether suit him.
Dad positively ordered him abroad, and when Muriel demurred about taking him out of Dad's reach (she has such faith in him, you know), he arranged to go too if Nick would leave Redlands and come and help me keep house.

You see, Dad couldn't very well leave me to look after Dr.
Wyndham singlehanded." "My dear, of course not!" Up went the violet eyes in horror at the bare suggestion.