In my father's earlier time, and in his uncle's time before him, it was a place of business--really a place of business, and business resort.

Now, it is a mere anomaly and incongruity here, out of date and out of purpose.

All our consignments have long been made to Rovinghams' the commission-merchants; and although, as a check upon them, and in the stewardship of my father's resources, your judgment and watchfulness have been actively exerted, still those qualities would have influenced my father's fortunes equally, if you had lived in any private dwelling: would they not ?' 'Do you consider,' she returned, without answering his question, 'that a house serves no purpose, Arthur, in sheltering your infirm and afflicted--justly infirm and righteously afflicted--mother ?' 'I was speaking only of business purposes.' 'With what object ?' 'I am coming to it.' 'I foresee,' she returned, fixing her eyes upon him, 'what it is.
But the Lord forbid that I should repine under any visitation.

In my sinfulness I merit bitter disappointment, and I accept it.' 'Mother, I grieve to hear you speak like this, though I have had my apprehensions that you would--' 'You knew I would.

You knew ME,' she interrupted.
Her son paused for a moment.