He determined, as he said to himself,
to see it out.
CHAPTER XIX
It was for reasons connected with this determination that on the
morrow he sought a few words of private conversation with Mrs.
Penniman. He sent for her to the library, and he there informed her
that he hoped very much that, as regarded this affair of Catherine's,
she would mind her p's and q's.
"I don't know what you mean by such an expression," said his sister.
"You speak as if I were learning the alphabet."
"The alphabet of common sense is something you will never learn," the
Doctor permitted himself to respond.
"Have you called me here to insult me?" Mrs. Penniman inquired.
"Not at all. Simply to advise you. You have taken up young
Townsend; that's your own affair. I have nothing to do with your
sentiments, your fancies, your affections, your delusions; but what I
request of you is that you will keep these things to yourself. I
have explained my views to Catherine; she understands them perfectly,
and anything that she does further in the way of encouraging Mr.
Townsend's attentions will be in deliberate opposition to my wishes.
Anything that you should do in the way of giving her aid and comfort
will be--permit me the expression--distinctly treasonable. You know
high treason is a capital offence; take care how you incur the
penalty."
Mrs. Penniman threw back her head, with a certain expansion of the
eye which she occasionally practised.
Pages:
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148