Sink or Swim? , Volume III

"Well, mother," John said airily, and with the laudable desire of making things pass off with ease and comfort to all parties -- "well, mother, we've got Honor back again, you see; but I'm sorry you got up. I tried to keep Hannah quiet, but she's got a foot like a cart-horse, and a voice like a peacock, hang her!"

"I wasn't asleep, my dear," sighed the old lady, seating herself with a dignified air -- the effect of which was slightly neutralised by the above-named dressing-gown and cap -- "I wasn't asleep; it ain't easy to be with all that is going on; " and she folded her aged hands before her with an air of patient resignation, which was not without its effect upon poor John. For that excellent man, at this crisis of his hitherto unexciting life, was really very greatly to be pitied. Longing, above all things, for peace and quietness -- loving his young wife with a deep and passionate fondness, and sincerely wishing that his respected parent might find a dutiful daughter in his precious Honor -- it was to him a terrible thought that a "scene" of some kind must inevitably take place before matters could run smoothly again between his womankind.