Mason as earnestly
as if a young man's menace of this description were likely to be
literally fulfilled.
"Indeed, sir, I have been very wrong; if you please, sir, don't
be so angry. She is often very good to us; it is only sometimes
she goes into a passion: and we are very provoking, I dare say. I
know I am for one. I have often to undo my work, and you can't
think how it spoils anything (particularly silk) to be unpicked;
and Mrs. Mason has to bear all the blame. Oh! I am sorry I said
anything about it. Don't speak to your mother about it, pray,
sir. Mrs. Mason thinks so much of Mrs. Bellingham's custom."
"Well, I won't this time"--recollecting that there might be some
awkwardness in accounting to his mother for the means by which he
had obtained his very correct information as to what passed in
Mrs. Mason's workroom--"but, if ever she does so again, I'll not
answer for myself."
"I will take care and not tell again, sir," said Ruth, in a low
voice.
"Nay, Ruth, you are not going to have secrets from me, are you?
Don't you remember your promise to consider me as a brother? Go
on telling me everything that happens to you, pray; you cannot
think how much interest I take in all your interests. I can quite
fancy that charming home at Milham you told me about last Sunday.
I can almost fancy Mrs. Mason's workroom; and that, surely, is a
proof either of the strength of my imagination, or of your powers
of description.
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