So he
endeavoured to act as mediator.
"No doubt, my dear, no doubt, but at the same time there is no
reason why Mr. Gosford should not make any suggestion which may be
to our friend Chandler's advantage,"
But Mr. Gosford was checked and did not pursue the subject.
Catharine sat next to him.
"Mr. Gosford, when may I come to Moat Farm again?"
"Lord, my dear, whenever you like you know that. Me and Mrs. G. is
always glad to see you. WHENever you please," and Mr. Gosford
instantly recovered the good-humour which Mrs. Furze had suppressed.
"Don't forget us," chimed in Mr. Bellamy. "We'll turn out your room
and store apples in it if you don't use it oftener."
"Now, Mr. Bellamy," said Catharine, holding up her finger at him,
"you'll be sick of me at last. You've forgotten when I had that bad
cold at your house, and was in bed there for a week, and what a
bother I was to Mrs. Bellamy."
"Bother!" cried Bellamy--"bother! Lord have mercy on us! why the
missus was sayin' when you talked about bother, my missus says, 'I'd
sooner have Catharine here, and me have tea up there with her,
notwithstanding there must be a fire upstairs and I've had to send
Lucy to the infirmary with a whitlow on her thumb--yes, I would,
than be at a many tea-parties I know.'"
Mrs. Furze gave elaborate tea-parties, and was uncomfortably
uncertain whether or not the shaft was intended for her.
"My dear Catharine, I shall be delighted if you go either to Mr.
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