PROF. D. Thank you, sir. It has been a great pleasure to talk over
these matters with you; I hope a great benefit.
MR. A. I am sure it is a great benefit to us to have a breath from
the outer world. I hope you will never let so long a time go by
without our meeting. Remember, as iron sharpeneth iron, so doth a
man's countenance that of his friend.
PROF. D. I shall be only too thankful. I rejoice in the having met
your grand-daughter, who encouraged me to offer myself. Is she
permanently in town?
MR. A. She shows no inclination to return. I hoped she would do so
after the last competition; but there is always another stage to be
mounted. I wish she would come back, for her mother ought not to be
left single-handed; but young people seem to require so much
external education in these days, instead of being content to work
on at home, that I sometimes question which is more effectual,
learning or being taught.
PROF. D. Being poured-upon versus imbibing?
MR. A. It may depend on what amount there is to imbibe; and I
imagine that the child views this region as an arid waste; as of
course we are considerably out of date.
PROF. D. The supply would be a good deal fresher and purer!
MR. A. Do you know anything of her present surroundings?
PROF. D. I confess that I was surprised to meet her with Mrs.
Eyeless, a lady who is active in disseminating Positivism, and all
tending that way. She rather startled me by some of her remarks;
but probably it was only jargon and desire to show off. Have you
seen her lately?
MR. A. At Christmas, but only for a short time, when it struck me
that she treated us with the patronage of precocious youth; and I
thought she made the most of a cold when church or parish was
concerned. I hinted as much; but her mother seemed quite satisfied.
Poor girl! Have I been blind? I did not like her going to live at
one of those boarding-houses for lady students. Do you know
anything of them?
PROF. D. Of course all depends on the individual lady at the head,
and the responsibility she undertakes, as well as on the tone of the
inmates. With some, it would be only staying in a safe and guarded
home. In others, there is a great amount of liberty, the girls
going out without inquiry whether, with whom, or when they return.
MR. A. American fashion! Well, they say young women are equal to
taking care of themselves. I wonder whether my daughter understands
this, or whether it is so at Cecilia's abode. Do you know?
PROF. D. I am afraid I do. The niece of a friend of mine was
there, and left it, much distressed and confused by the agnostic
opinions that were freely broached there. How did your grand-
daughter come to choose it?
MR. A. For the sake of being with a friend. I think Thurston is
the name.
PROF. D. I know something of that family; clever people, but bred
up--on principle, if it can be so called, with their minds a blank
as to religion. I remember seeing one of the daughters at the party
where I met Miss Moldwarp.
MR. A. So this is the society into which we have allowed our poor
child to run! I blame myself exceedingly for not having made more
inquiries. Grief made me selfishly passive, or I should have opened
my eyes and theirs to the danger. My poor Mary, what a shock it
will be to her!
PROF. D. Was not she on the spot?
MR. A. True; but, poor dear, she is of a gentle nature, easily led,
and seeing only what her affection lets her perceive. And now, she
is not strong.
PROF. D. She is not looking well.
MR. A. You think so! I wonder whether I have been blind, and let
her undertake too much.
PROF. D. Suppose you were to bring her to town for a few days. We
should be delighted to have you, and she could see the doctor to
whom she is accustomed. Then you can judge for yourself about her
daughter.
MR. A. Thank you, Dunlop! It will be a great comfort if it can be
managed.