Ah! I should have known better than that at his age." The fallen nature in Rachel--the mother Eve, so to speak--began to chafe at this.
"Pray let us understand each other, Mr.Ablewhite," she said.

"Nothing in the least like a quarrel took place yesterday between your son and me.

If he told you that I proposed breaking off our marriage engagement, and that he agreed on his side--he told you the truth." The self-registering thermometer at the top of Mr.Ablewhite's bald head began to indicate a rise of temper.

His face was more amiable than ever--but THERE was the pink at the top of his face, a shade deeper already! "Come, come, my dear!" he said, in his most soothing manner, "now don't be angry, and don't be hard on poor Godfrey! He has evidently said some unfortunate thing.

He was always clumsy from a child--but he means well, Rachel, he means well!" "Mr.Ablewhite, I have either expressed myself very badly, or you are purposely mistaking me.