Sweet jealous if he could without casting any reflections upon himself.
For I found that Arthur had his share of caution also, and before we
parted he made me sign a paper acknowledging the cabal in secret against
Greg.
"You shall have it back the day he offers for you," promised Arthur
Parable, "and I only require it so that if any hard things was said of me,
or I was accused of toying with your finer feelings, or anything like
that, I can show by chapter and verse under your signature that the man's
a liar. And meantime I'll sound your praises if I see Sweet and say you'd
teach him the meaning of true happiness, and so on. And I'll come to tea
Sunday."
Well, I thanked the man from my heart and since one good turn called for
another I asked after him and his girl and hoped Minnie was being a kindly
daughter to him and so on. But he didn't speak very fatherly of her.
"She's a melancholy cat in a house," he said, "and women will be
melancholy in her stage of life. She's terrible wishful to leave me and
find a husband--so set on it as yourself--but of course with no chance
whatsoever; for no self-respecting man would ever look at a creature like
her. As a rule, with her pattern, they have got sense enough to give up
hope and take what Nature sends 'em in a patient spirit. But not Minnie.
Hope won't die and, in a word, she's a plaguey piece and she's got a sharp
tongue too, and when I'm too old to hold my own she'll give me hell.
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