We are dull people here for a lad.

Had we had other children it might have been different.
"I have heard my mother speak of her life as a girl, in England, and assuredly it was brighter and more varied than ours; and it seems not to me that the pleasures which they had were sinful, although I have been taught otherwise; but, as I read my Bible, I cannot see that innocent pleasures are in any way denied to the Lord's people; and such pleasure as the companionship of the young Davenant can give John will, I think, be altogether for his good." "But the lad is a Papist, Hannah." "He is, Jabez; but boys, methinks, do not argue among themselves upon points of doctrine; and I have no fear that John will ever be led from the right path, nor indeed, though it is presumption for a woman to say so, do I feel so sure as our ministers that ours is the only path to heaven.

We believe firmly that it is the best path, but others believe as firmly in their paths; and I cannot think, Jabez, that all mankind, save those who are within the fold of our church, can be condemned by the good Lord to perdition." "Your words are bold, Hannah, and I know not what my father and the elders of the church would say, were they to hear them.

As to that I will not argue, but methinks that you are right in saying that the companionship of the young Davenant will do our boy no harm.
"But the lad must have his father's consent.

Though I reckon that we could count pounds where they could count shillings, yet, in the opinion of the world, they assuredly stand above us.