She now heaved a profound sigh, and pursing
up her lips, shook her head in a slow and doubtful manner.
'Poor creature!' said Kate.
'Ah! poor indeed!' rejoined Mrs Nickleby. 'It's shameful that such
things should be allowed. Shameful!'
'How can they be helped, mama?' said Kate, mournfully. 'The infirmities
of nature--'
'Nature!' said Mrs Nickleby. 'What! Do YOU suppose this poor gentleman
is out of his mind?'
'Can anybody who sees him entertain any other opinion, mama?'
'Why then, I just tell you this, Kate,' returned Mrs Nickleby, 'that, he
is nothing of the kind, and I am surprised you can be so imposed
upon. It's some plot of these people to possess themselves of his
property--didn't he say so himself? He may be a little odd and flighty,
perhaps, many of us are that; but downright mad! and express himself as
he does, respectfully, and in quite poetical language, and making offers
with so much thought, and care, and prudence--not as if he ran into the
streets, and went down upon his knees to the first chit of a girl he
met, as a madman would! No, no, Kate, there's a great deal too much
method in HIS madness; depend upon that, my dear.
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