"
There passed through Morris Townsend's mind a rapid wonder as to what
he might, even under a remote contingency, be indebted to from the
action of this principle in Dr. Sloper's breast, and the inquiry
exhausted itself in his sense of the ludicrous. "Your brother has no
duties to me," he said presently, "and I none to him."
"Ah, but he has duties to Catherine."
"Yes, but you see that on that principle Catherine has duties to him
as well."
Mrs. Penniman got up, with a melancholy sigh, as if she thought him
very unimaginative. "She has always performed them faithfully; and
now, do you think she has no duties to YOU?" Mrs. Penniman always,
even in conversation, italicised her personal pronouns.
"It would sound harsh to say so! I am so grateful for her love,"
Morris added.
"I will tell her you said that! And now, remember that if you need
me, I am there." And Mrs. Penniman, who could think of nothing more
to say, nodded vaguely in the direction of Washington Square.
Morris looked some moments at the sanded floor of the shop; he seemed
to be disposed to linger a moment. At last, looking up with a
certain abruptness, "It is your belief that if she marries me he will
cut her off?" he asked.
Mrs. Penniman stared a little, and smiled. "Why, I have explained to
you what I think would happen--that in the end it would be the best
thing to do."
"You mean that, whatever she does, in the long run she will get the
money?"
"It doesn't depend upon her, but upon you.
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