best advice."

"I think if our dear nieces could be brought to understand the
sinfulness of their disobedience. I have here one or two little books
which I think it would be advisable for them to read."

"Later on, my dear Hester; the best thing that James can do is to see
to their health. No girls in good health could act as they do; it is
radically impossible."

"I suppose that is what I must do; I don't know if I shall succeed,
but I will try to get them to come up to London and have medical
advice. Since the death of poor Julia I have been all alone; my
position is a very hard one. I have no one to talk to, to assist me,
to take my place in any way. I am obliged to go to London every day,
and I assure you my heart is all of a flutter in the morning when I
take the train, for I don't know what may happen before I return. The
girls can do what they like; they are mistresses of this big house,
they take the carriage into Brighton when they like, Sally takes the
cart. I have thought of getting rid of that cart."

Although passionately fond of talking, Aunt Mary would with patience,
and even with pleasure, cross her hands and settle herself down to
listen to one of Uncle James's interminable lamentations, but Aunt
Hester, a nervous and timid creature who talked but little, not only
declared that she could not bear to hear the same stories over and
over again, but interrupted her brother with firmness and
determination. Indeed, it was only on occasion of Uncle James's
soliloquies that she had ever shown any strength of will.