"Of course," she said, "I have seen it going on for a long time. My poor
boy has always--well, he has always admired Dora."'
"Oh!"
"Yes, and of course I should like nothing better. I am sure they would be
most happy."
The Rector looked doubtful.
"We must not forget," he said, "that Arthur is constitutionally
delicate. That extreme repugnance to active exercise, the love of ease
and--er--indoor pursuits, show a tendency to enfeeble the organisation
which might--I don't say it will, but it might--turn to decline."
"But the doctors say that he is quite strong. Everybody cannot be robust
and--and massive."
She was thinking of Jem, against whom she had always borne a grudge,
because his inoffensive presence alone had the power of making Arthur
look puny.
"No; and of course with care one may hope that Arthur will live to a ripe
old age," said the Rector, who was only coquetting with the question.
Mrs. Agar played with a biscuit. She had a rooted aversion to the query
direct.
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