I have an indistinct remembrance that he was very
affectionate. I don't think he put his arm round my waist to support
me--but I am not sure. I was quite helpless, and his ways with ladies
were very endearing. At any rate, we sat down. I can answer for that, if
I can answer for nothing more.
CHAPTER VIII
"I have lost a beautiful girl, an excellent social position, and a
handsome income," Mr. Godfrey began; "and I have submitted to it without
a struggle. What can be the motive for such extraordinary conduct as
that? My precious friend, there is no motive."
"No motive?" I repeated.
"Let me appeal, my dear Miss Clack, to your experience of children," he
went on. "A child pursues a certain course of conduct. You are greatly
struck by it, and you attempt to get at the motive. The dear little
thing is incapable of telling you its motive. You might as well ask the
grass why it grows, or the birds why they sing. Well! in this matter, I
am like the dear little thing--like the grass--like the birds. I don't
know why I made a proposal of marriage to Miss Verinder. I don't know
why I have shamefully neglected my dear Ladies. I don't know why I have
apostatised from the Mothers' Small-Clothes.
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