The Argosy — page 99: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

86 The White Witch. seems to put a check upon them; in her presence they catch up her old-fashioned stiffness. She ought to let them go out more,” ‘‘T think their father has more to do with that than their mother. He thinks it a bad example to the parish for the parson’s daughters to go gadding about.” “Indeed! It is a pity to spoil one’s daughters’ prospects for one’s principles.” Godfrey looked up. ‘Don’t you think principle more important than anything else?” ‘Oh, of course itis. But if all parents’ principles were as strict as that, girls would never get married at all.” “Mr. Thornhill would say it was better that all four of his daughters should die old maids than that one poor girl should be induced by their example to go to atea-party to meet her ‘ young man’; especially if an aged and grumpy parent required her to stay and stir up his grue} at home,” concluded Godfrey, solemnly. Mrs. Mayne laughed. ‘‘ But that is such nonsense, is it not? If he is so particular, Mrs. Thornhill ought to send them away for a week now and then to people who would take them out and about. She could tell the Vicar they went to nothing but missionary meetings.” ‘What, would you have her deceive her husband ?” ‘* But it is such a little thing ; and it would be all for the girls’ good.” * Now I am surprised at you. Deliberately upholding the Jesuit- ical doctrine that one may do acknowledged evil that possible good may come! Why, don’t you know that such teaching is dangerous?” Godfrey had spoken with burlesque gravity, but he listened to her answer with keen interest. ‘‘T am not likely to do or say anything dangerous,” said she, laugh- ing in utter good faith. ‘I don’t think it can be very wrong to work just a little crookedly for the sake of one’s children.” With the last words, her tone grew so suddenly earnest that her voice shook. And to Godfrey, on the alert, this speech seemed laden with meaning. Cheston was soon reached. ‘‘Let me see,” began Mrs. Mayne: ‘You have some books to change at Smith’s, and I have to telegraph to ‘Swan and Edgar’s,’” *Can’t I do that for you?” Thank you, no; it is not at all worth while. It is only”—seeing Godfrey look at her—‘“‘ about a new mantle that was to have come yesterday,” ‘Nay, the mantle was not to come till to-morrow,” returned God- frey, who had an excellent memory for unimportant trifles which did not concern him, ‘“‘Vesterday,” persisted she. Godfrey said no more. He dutifully escorted her to the door of the telegraph-office, where she dismissed him. Then he went to the bookstall, bought a paper, gave a list of the books he wanted and said Gomichbooks.co m