"No!" said Mr. Hale. "That would not answer. I must do something! I must make myself busy, to keep off morbid thoughts. Besides, in a country parish I should be so painfully reminded of Helstone, and my duties here. I could not bear it, Margaret. And a hundred a year would go a very little way, after the necessary wants of housekeeping are met, towards providing your mother with all the comforts she has been accustomed to, and ought to have. No: we must go to Milton. That is settled. I can always decide better by myself, and not influenced by those whom I love," said he, as a half apology for having arranged so much before he had told any one of his family of his intentions. "I cannot stand objections. They make me so undecided."

'No!' said Mr. Hale. 'That would not answer. I must do something. I must make myself busy, to keep off morbid thoughts. But in a country parish I should be so painfully reminded of Helstone, I could not bear it, Margaret. And a hundred a year would not go far towards providing your mother with all the comforts she ought to have. No: we must go to Milton. That is settled. I can always decide better by myself,' said he, as a half apology for having arranged it already.
