"There is nothing I dislike so much as coming out with people
younger than myself," said Miss Holmes. "One always feels so old
and dull. Listen to those children there; they make me feel as
though I were an old maiden aunt, brought out with them to do
propriety."

"Patty won't at all approve if she hears you call her a child."

"Nor shall I approve, if she treats me like an old woman," and then
she stepped on and joined the children. "I wouldn't spoil even
their sport if I could help it," she said to herself. "But with
them I shall only be a temporary nuisance; if I remain behind I
shall become a permanent evil." And thus Bessy and her old lover
were left by themselves.

"I hope you will get on well with Bella," said Godfrey, when they
had remained silent for a minute or two.

"Oh, yes. She is so good-natured and light-spirited that everybody
must like her. She has been used to so much amusement and active
life, that I know she must find it very dull here."

"She is never dull anywhere,--even at Liverpool, which, for a young
lady, I sometimes think the dullest place on earth. I know it is
for a man."

"A man who has work to do can never be dull; can he?"

"Indeed he can; as dull as death. I am so often enough. I have
never been very bright there, Bessy, since you left us."