"
"Do you wish us to understand that you have adopted this 'nobody's
child,' Amy?" said Mr. Enderby, looking more and more troubled.
"Well, to tell you the truth, I did not mean that quite," said Mrs.
Rushton; "but now that you suggest it--"
"_I_ suggest it!" cried Mr. Enderby.
"How horrified you look! But all the same you have suggested it, and I
think it is a capital idea."
"Do not come to any hasty conclusion, I implore you, Amy. Think over it
well. Consider the child's interests more than your own momentary
self-indulgence!"
Mrs. Rushton coloured with displeasure.
"I see you are determined to be as disagreeable as usual," she said
angrily. "As if the monkey could fail to be benefited by my patronage!
Pray, will she not be better in my drawing-room than getting under
horses' feet about the Wavertree roads, or losing herself in the
Wavertree woods?"
"Frankly, I think not," said Mr. Enderby stiffly.
Mrs. Rushton's eyes flashed, and she did her brother the injustice of
thinking that he feared her adoption of little Hetty would in some way
interfere with the worldly interests of his own children.
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