Middlemarch

"Pooh, pooh, never mind! We must expect to have trouble with our

children. Don't make it worse by letting me see you out of spirits."

"Well, I won't," said Mrs. Vincy, roused by this appeal and adjusting

herself with a little shake as of a bird which lays down its ruffled

plumage.

"It won't do to begin making a fuss about one," said Mr. Vincy, wishing

to combine a little grumbling with domestic cheerfulness. "There's

Rosamond as well as Fred."

"Yes, poor thing. I'm sure I felt for her being disappointed of her

baby; but she got over it nicely."

"Baby, pooh! I can see Lydgate is making a mess of his practice, and

getting into debt too, by what I hear. I shall have Rosamond coming to

me with a pretty tale one of these days. But they'll get no money from

me, I know. Let his family help him. I never did like that

marriage. But it's no use talking. Ring the bell for lemons, and

don't look dull any more, Lucy. I'll drive you and Louisa to Riverston

to-morrow."