I suppose I know a little more about things than I did;
and your father's being so bent on it sets me all in
a twitter. He thinks his money can do everything.
Well, I don't say but what it can, a good many. And 'Rene
is as good a child as ever there was; and I don't see
but what she's pretty-appearing enough to suit any one.
She's pretty-behaved, too; and she IS the most capable girl.
I presume young men don't care very much for such
things nowadays; but there ain't a great many girls
can go right into the kitchen, and make such a custard
as she did yesterday. And look at the way she does,
through the whole house! She can't seem to go into a room
without the things fly right into their places. And if she
had to do it to-morrow, she could make all her own dresses
a great deal better than them we pay to do it. I don't
say but what he's about as nice a fellow as ever stepped.
But there! I'm ashamed of going on so."
"Well, mother," said the girl after a pause, in which she
looked as if a little weary of the subject, "why do you
worry about it? If it's to be it'll be, and if it isn't----"
"Yes, that's what I tell your father. But when it comes
to myself, I see how hard it is for him to rest quiet.
I'm afraid we shall all do something we'll repent
of afterwards."
"Well, ma'am," said Penelope, "I don't intend to do anything wrong;
but if I do, I promise not to be sorry for it.
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