"My cousins are willing to make your acquaintance?" said he. "That
is well. Jumbo shall escort you home in the evening."
"Thank you, sir, but must I accept the invitation?"
"It could not be declined without incivility. Moreover, the
Mistresses Treforth are highly respected, and your father and
sister will certainly think it well for you to have female friends."
"Do you think those ladies could ever be my friends, sir?" she asked,
with an intonation that made him reply, with a sound of amusement.
"I am no judge in such matters, but they are ladies connected and
esteemed, who might befriend and counsel you in case of need, and
at any rate, it is much more suitable that you should be on terms
of friendly intercourse with them. I am heartily glad they have
shown you this attention."
"I do not mean to be ungrateful, sir."
"And I think you have disproved that
Crabbed age and youth
Cannot live together."
"If they were only like you, sir!"
"What would they say to that?" he said with the slight laugh that
had begun to enliven his voice. "I suppose your charges are not
included in the invitation?"
"No; but Molly can take care of them, if my Lady will not object to
my leaving them."
"She cannot reasonably do so.
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