'Well, there's quite enough of that; too much. Still I thought I'd
tell you, you see. It's well to know when we've got enemies behind
our backs. But see, Sidney; to speak seriously, between ourselves.'
He leaned forward in the confidential attitude. 'You say you've gone
just a bit further than friendship with our Janey. Well, I don't
know a better man, and that's the truth--but don't you think we
might put this off for a year or two? Look now, here's this lady,
Miss Lant, taking up the girl, and it's an advantage to her; you
won't deny that. I sympathise with my good old dad; I do, honestly;
but I can't help thinking that Janey, in her position, ought to see
a little of the world. There's no secrets between _us_; you know
what she'll have as well as I do. I should be a brute if I grudged
it her, after all she's suffered from my neglect. But don't you
think we might leave her free for a year or two?'
'Yes, I agree with you.'
'You do? I thought you and I could understand each other, if we only
got really talking. Look here, Sidney; I don't mind just whispering
to you. For anything I know, Percival is saying disagreeable things
to the old man; but don't you worry about that.
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