I will have no fiddle-faddle in such a matter," he said courageously.

"Maids did not rule their parents when I was a boy; they obeyed them or were beaten." His wife laughed shortly; and began to thread her needle again.
He began to explain.

The match was in all respects suitable.

Certainly there were difficulties, springing from the very startling events at Matstead, and it well might be that a man who would do as Mr.Audrey had done (or, rather, proposed to do) might show obstinacy in other directions too.

Therefore there was no hurry; the two were still very young, and it certainly would be wiser to wait for any formal betrothal until Robin's future disclosed itself.