Bradshaw (for, of course, I saw his
thoughts and words constantly peeping out, though he had told her
to speak to me) believed that our Ruth would be the very person.
Now, Thurstan, don't look so surprised, as if she had never come
into your head! I am sure I saw what Mrs. Bradshaw was driving
at, long before she came to the point; and I could scarcely keep
from smiling, and saying, 'We'd jump at the proposal'--long
before I ought to have known anything about it."
"Oh, I wonder what we ought to do!" said Mr. Benson. "Or, rather,
I believe I see what we ought to do, if I durst but do it."
"Why, what ought we to do?" asked his sister, in surprise.
"I ought to go and tell Mr. Bradshaw the whole story----"
"And get Ruth turned out of our house," said Miss Benson
indignantly.
"They can't make us do that," said her brother. "I do not think
they would try."
"Yes, Mr. Bradshaw would try; and he would blazon out poor Ruth's
sin, and there would not be a chance for her left. I know him
well, Thurstan; and why should he be told now, more than a year
ago?"
"A year ago he did not want to put her in a situation of trust
about his children."
"And you think she'll abuse that trust, do you? You've lived a
twelvemonth in the house with Ruth, and the end of it is, you
think she will do his children harm! Besides, who encouraged
Jemima to come to the house so much to see Ruth? Did you not say
it would do them both good to see something of each other?" Mr.
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