I do when she speaks to me in that pleasant way she has--you know what I mean.

For all that, I am her father, and I think it's only right I should do my best to make her happy.

You agree with that, I know.' 'Certainly I do.' 'You won't take it ill if I ask whether--in fact, whether you've ever asked her--you know what I mean.' 'I have not,' Sidney replied, in a clear, unmoved tone, changing his position at the same time so as to look his interlocutor in the face.
Joseph seemed relieved.
'Still,' he continued, 'you've given her to understand--eh?
I suppose there's no secret about that ?' 'I've often spoken to her very intimately, but I have used no words such as you are thinking of.

It's quite true that my way of behaving has meant more than ordinary friendship.' 'Yes, yes; you're not offended at me bringing this subject up, old man?
You see, I'm her father, after all, and I think we ought to understand each other.' 'You are quite right.' 'Well, now, see.' He fidgeted a little.

'Has my father ever told you that his friend the lawyer, Percival, altogether went against that way of bringing up Jane ?' 'Yes, I know that.' 'You do ?' Joseph paused before proceeding.