Margaret rather encouraged this light, merry way of viewing her father's acquaintance with Mr. Thornton, because she felt that her mother was inclined to look upon this new friendship of her husband's with jealous eyes. As long as his time had been solely occupied with his books and his parishioners, as at Helstone, she had appeared to care little whether she saw much of him or not; but now that he looked eagerly forward to each renewal of his intercourse with Mr. Thornton, she seemed hurt and annoyed, as if he were slighting her companionship for the first time. Mr. Hale's over-praise had the usual effect of over-praise upon his auditors; they were a little inclined to rebel against Aristides being always called the Just.

Margaret encouraged this merry way of viewing her father's acquaintance with Mr. Thornton, because she felt that her mother was inclined to be jealous of it. When his time had been solely occupied with his books and his parishioners, she had appeared to care little whether she saw much of him or not; but now that he looked eagerly forward to meeting Mr. Thornton, she seemed hurt and annoyed.
