'
'The poor not affectionate!' said Alethea.
'Not, compared within people whose minds and affections have been
cultivated,' said Lily. 'Now just hear what Mrs. Wall said to me
only yesterday; she asked for a black stuff gown out of the clothing
club, "for," said she, "I had a misfortune, Miss;" I thought it would
be, "and tore my gown," but it was, "I had a misfortune, Miss, and
lost my brother."'
'A very harsh conclusion on very slight grounds,' said Mr. Devereux.
'Prove the contrary,' said Lily.
'Facts would scarcely demonstrate it either way,' said Mr. Devereux.
'They would only prove what was the case with individuals who chanced
to come in our way, and if we are seldom able to judge of the depth
of feeling of those with whom we are familiar, how much less of those
who feel our presence a restraint.'
'Intense feeling mocks restraint,' said Lily.
'Violent, not intense,' said Mr. Devereux. 'Besides, you talk of
cultivating the affections. Now what do you mean? Exercising them,
or talking about them?'
'Ah!' said Emily, 'the affection of a poor person is more tried; we
blame a poor man for letting his old mother go to the workhouse,
without considering how many of us would do the same, if we had as
little to live upon.
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