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Clever Woman of the Family by Charlotte Mary Yonge
page 21 of 697 (03%)

"You have a large young party," said Mr. Touchett, looking uneasily
towards Lady Temple.

"Yes, I have half a dozen boys and one little girl."

"Seven!" Mr. Touchett looked up half incredulous at the girlish
contour of the gentle face, then cast down his eyes as if afraid he
had been rude. "Seven! It is--it is a great charge."

"Yes, indeed it is," she said earnestly; "and I am sure you will be
kind enough to give your influence to help me with them--poor boys."

"Oh! oh!" he exclaimed, "anything I can do--" in such a transport of
eager helpfulness that Rachel coldly said, "We are all anxious to
assist in the care of the children." He coloured up, and with a sort
of effort at self-assertion, blurted out, "As the clergyman of the
parish--," and there halted, and was beginning to look foolish, when
Lady Temple took him up in her soft, persuasive way. "Of course we
shall look to you so much, and you will be so kind as to let me know
if there is any one I can send any broth to at anytime."

"Thank you; you are very good;" and he was quite himself again.
"I shall have the pleasure of sending you down a few names."

"I never did approve the broken victual system," began Rachel, "it
creates dependence."

"Come here, Hubert," said Fanny, beckoning a boy she saw at a
distance, "come and shake hands with Mr. Touchett." It was from
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