“No, no! I did not mean to be unkind⁠—you must not think that! You don’t think it, do you, Dick?”

“Oh, no,” he sighed.

“Good Dicky!” She patted his cheek coaxingly. “Then you will allow me to go⁠—ah, but yes, yes, you must listen! You know how dull I am, and how silly⁠—’tis because I need a change, and I want to go to Andover. I want to go!”

“Yes, dear, I know. But my father is not yet dead six weeks, and I cannot think it seemly⁠—”

“Please, Dick, please! Please do not say no! ’Twill make me so unhappy! Oh, you will not be so unkind? You will not forbid me to go?”