I think, my dear Clara, even you must observe it ?' 'I beg your pardon, my dear Jane,' said my mother, 'but are you quite sure--I am certain you'll excuse me, my dear Jane--that you understand Davy ?' 'I should be somewhat ashamed of myself, Clara,' returned Miss Murdstone, 'if I could not understand the boy, or any boy.

I don't profess to be profound; but I do lay claim to common sense.' 'No doubt, my dear Jane,' returned my mother, 'your understanding is very vigorous--' 'Oh dear, no! Pray don't say that, Clara,' interposed Miss Murdstone, angrily.
'But I am sure it is,' resumed my mother; 'and everybody knows it is.

I profit so much by it myself, in many ways--at least I ought to--that no one can be more convinced of it than myself; and therefore I speak with great diffidence, my dear Jane, I assure you.' 'We'll say I don't understand the boy, Clara,' returned Miss Murdstone, arranging the little fetters on her wrists.

'We'll agree, if you please, that I don't understand him at all.

He is much too deep for me.