"Nay! John," said his mother, "that speech of Fanny's did no harm. I myself heard Miss Hale say she could not play. If you would let us alone, we could perhaps like her, and see her merits."
"I'm sure I never could!" murmured Fanny, protected by her mother. Mr. Thornton heard, but did not care to reply. He was walking up and down the dining-room, wishing that his mother would order candles, and allow him to set to work at either reading or writing, and so put a stop to the conversation. But he never thought of interfering in any of the small domestic regulations that Mrs. Thornton observed, in habitual remembrance of her old economies.
"Mother," said he, stopping, and bravely speaking out the truth, "I wish you would like Miss Hale."

'Nay! John,' said his mother, 'I myself heard Miss Hale say she could not play. If you would let us alone, we could perhaps like her, and see her merits.'
'I'm sure I never could!' murmured Fanny. Mr. Thornton heard her, but did not reply. He walked up and down the dining-room, wishing that his mother would order candles, and allow him to read or write, and so end the conversation. But he never thought of interfering in any of the small domestic rules that Mrs. Thornton observed, in remembrance of her old economies.
'Mother,' said he, stopping, and bravely speaking out the truth, 'I wish you would like Miss Hale.'
