Her eldest was a boy of ten years old, a fine spirited fellow, who longed to be out in the world, sailing the seas or perchance digging up Egypt (the latter being a strong hint to Lady Bertram to put her in favor of the boy) or seeking treasure in the New World; but what could she do? Was there any chance of his being hereafter useful to Sir Thomas in the concerns of his West Indian property? No situation would be beneath him; or what did Sir Thomas think of Woolwich?

The letter was not unproductive. It re-established peace and kindness. Sir Thomas sent friendly advice and professions, sanguine Lady Bertram dispatched money and baby-linen and Egyptian grave-robbed trifles, and Mrs. Norris wrote the letters.

And within a twelvemonth a more important advantage to Mrs. Price resulted from it. Mrs. Norris often observed to others that she could not get her poor sister and her family out of her head—especially on bright moonlit nights when her head felt rather giddy and almost not her own but, shockingly, one with the field vermin in the countryside—and that, much as they had all done for her, she seemed to be wanting to do more. Finally she admitted her wish that poor Mrs. Price should be relieved from the charge and expense of one of her children.

“What if they were among them to undertake the care of her eldest daughter—a girl now nine years old, of an age to require more attention than her poor mother could possibly give? The trouble and expense of it to them would be nothing, compared with the benevolence of the action.”

Lady Bertram agreed with her instantly. “I think we cannot do better,” said she; “let us send for the child. Is she hale and ruddy-cheeked, do you think? Are her teeth all in? Will she be able to handle papyrus?”

Sir Thomas could not give so instantaneous and unqualified a consent. He debated and hesitated—it was a serious charge. A girl so brought up must be adequately provided for, or there would be cruelty instead of kindness in taking her from her family. He thought of his own four children, of his two sons, of cousins in love, etc.;—but no sooner did he try to object, than Mrs. Norris interrupted him with a near-howl—a matronly cough, surely, the weather was dreadful and the moon close to full—and a reply to all objections, stated or not.