书城公版WIVES AND DAUGHTERS
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第37章 FORESHADOWS OF LOVE PERILS (3)

'It's an hereditary quality.' 'I was going to say that proposal of yours that I should sleep at Hamley was just like a woman's idea - all kindness, and no common sense.How in the world would my patients find me out, seven miles from my accustomed place? They'd be sure to send for some other doctor, and I should be ruined in a month.' 'Could not they send on here? A messenger costs very little.' 'Fancy old Goody Henbury struggling up to my surgery, groaning at every step, and then being told to just step on seven miles farther! Or take the other end of society: - I don't think my Lady Cumnor's smart groom would thank me for having to ride on to Hamley every time his mistress wants me.' 'Well, well, I submit.I am a woman.Molly, thou art a woman! Go and order some strawberries and cream for this father of yours.Such humble offices fall within the province of women.Strawberries and cream are all kindness and no common sense, for they'll give him a horrid fit of indigestion.' 'Please speak for yourself, Mrs Hamley,' said Molly, merrily.'I ate -oh, such a great basketful yesterday, and the squire went himself to the dairy and brought me out a great bowl of cream when he found me at my busy work.And I'm as well as ever I was, to-day, and never had a touch of indigestion near me.' 'She's a good girl,' said her father, when she had danced out of hearing.