But even Ada, with her loving face--and if it had seemed innocent and trusting when I first saw it in that memorable November fog, how much more did it seem now when I knew her innocent and trusting heart--even Ada shook her head at this and looked serious. So I thought it a good opportunity to hint to Richard that if he were sometimes a little careless of himself, I was very sure he never meant to be careless of Ada, and that it was a part of his affectionate consideration for her not to slight the importance of a step that might influence both their lives. This made him almost grave.
"My dear Mother Hubbard," he said, "that's the very thing! I have thought of that several times and have been quite angry with myself for meaning to be so much in earnest and--somehow--not exactly being so. I don't know how it is; I seem to want something or other to stand by. Even you have no idea how fond I am of Ada (my darling cousin, I love you, so much!), but I don't settle down to constancy in other things. It's such uphill work, and it takes such a time!" said Richard with an air of vexation.

But even Ada shook her head at this and looked serious. So I hinted to Richard that if he were sometimes a little careless of himself, I was very sure he never meant to be careless of Ada, and that he must not make light of a step that might influence both their lives.
"My dear Mother Hubbard," he said, "I have indeed thought of that several times and have been quite angry with myself for meaning to be so much in earnest and - somehow - not exactly being so. I don't know how it is. You have no idea how fond I am of Ada (my darling cousin, I love you so much!), but I don't settle to constancy in other things. It's such uphill work, and it takes such a time!" said Richard with an air of vexation.
