He had the sense not to ask her for words. What words could be so
eloquent as this? He just held her to his manly bosom, and trembled with
love and joy and triumph.
She knew, too, that she had replied, and treated her own attitude like a
sentence in rather a droll way. "But _for all that_," said she, "I don't
mean to be a wicked girl if I can help. This is an age of wicked young
ladies. I soon found that out in the newspapers; that and science are the
two features. And I have made a solemn vow not to be one of
them"--(query, a science or a naughty girl)--"making mischief between
father and son."
"No more you shall, dear," said Walter. "Leave it to me. We must be
patient, and all will come right."
"Oh, I'll be true to you, dear, if that is all," said Mary.
"And if you would not mind just temporizing a little, for my sake, who
love you?"
"Temporize!" said Mary, eagerly. "With all my heart. I'll temporize till
we are all dead and buried."
"Oh, that will be too long for me," said Walter.
"Oh, never do things by halves," said the ready girl.
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