"
"Well, John, I would rather have the backbiting. I like to be treated
decently to my face. People are welcome to say whatever they like when
I am not present to be annoyed by their evil suspicions."
"She told me to ask you what was said and I trust you will tell me."
"I will. You remember that I had a whole society of women in the parlors
and I could only give you a short farewell; but I was much grieved to
send you away with such a brooding sorrow in your heart. The next day I
was putting the house in order and writing to you and I did not go out.
But on the morning of the third day I determined to visit my mother and
to call at Hatton Hall as I returned home.
"I did not have a pleasant visit at Harlow. Since mother has begun to
save money, she has lost all interest in any other subject. I told her
how affairs were between us, and though she had hitherto been rabidly in
favor of no children she appeared that morning indifferent to everything
but the loss of a brood of young chickens which some animal had eaten or
carried off.
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