When she acknowledged all this she was tempted to ask herself whether she ought not to accept the man,--if not for her own sake at least for that of the family.
That same evening her father called her into the office after the clerks were gone and spoke to her thus.

"Your mamma is very unhappy, my dear," he said.
"I'm afraid I have made everybody unhappy by wanting to go to Cheltenham." "It is not only that.

That is reasonable enough and you ought to go.
Mamma would say nothing more about that,--if you would make up your mind to one thing." "What thing, papa ?" Of course she knew very well what the thing was.
"It is time for you to think of settling in life, Mary.

I never would put it into a girl's head that she ought to worry herself about getting a husband unless the opportunity seemed to come in her way.
Young women should be quiet and wait till they're sought after.

But here is a young man seeking you whom we all like and approve.