I think you can see them from the other
street."
"I don't want to see them, ma'am!" And Morris turned his back to the
house.
"I will tell her you have been HERE, at any rate," said Mrs.
Penniman, pointing to the spot where they stood; "and I will give her
your message--that she is to hold fast!"
"Oh, yes! of course. You know I write her all that."
"It seems to say more when it is spoken! And remember, if you need
me, that I am THERE"; and Mrs. Penniman glanced at the third floor.
On this they separated, and Morris, left to himself, stood looking at
the house a moment; after which he turned away, and took a gloomy
walk round the Square, on the opposite side, close to the wooden
fence. Then he came back, and paused for a minute in front of Dr.
Sloper's dwelling. His eyes travelled over it; they even rested on
the ruddy windows of Mrs. Penniman's apartment. He thought it a
devilish comfortable house.
CHAPTER XVII
Mrs. Penniman told Catherine that evening--the two ladies were
sitting in the back parlour--that she had had an interview with
Morris Townsend; and on receiving this news the girl started with a
sense of pain. She felt angry for the moment; it was almost the
first time she had ever felt angry. It seemed to her that her aunt
was meddlesome; and from this came a vague apprehension that she
would spoil something.
"I don't see why you should have seen him.
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