I promised your poor mother that, as far as my poor judgment went, I would not allow you to act in any way wrongly, or (she softened her speech down a little here) inadvertently, without remonstrating; at least without offering advice, whether you took it or not."

I promised your poor mother that I would not allow you to act in any way wrongly, or (she softened her speech a little here) inadvertently, without remonstrating; at least, without offering advice, whether you took it or not.'
