"Well, I never heard--!" exclaimed mamma.
"What can possess them?" inquired papa. "My dears, why do you not love
the lady, eh,--Kate?"
"I don't know," said Kate.
"You don't know?--That is foolish. Adam, why do you not love this lady
who is to live with us? Do not tell me that you don't know, for that is
foolish. Why do you not love the lady?"
"Because I can't."
"Why, that is worse still. How perverse," he said, looking at the
ladies, "how perverse is the human heart. My dear, you can, and you
must do what is right. You may love me and your mamma first, and next
you must love this lady. Say you will try."
"I'll try," said Kate.