Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/25

 uncle. ‘Give a girl, even a half-wit like that, a chance to associate with persons such as—a—’

‘Ahem! such as the Vicar of Dulham near Frogmore, and his still more remarkable niece,’ interposed Mrs Bristley. ‘Don’t be modest, Theo.’

‘I never am, Kitty,’ was the reply, ‘and I endorse your suggestion. My belief is, that if I were to superintend the training of a half-witted girl from childhood, she would pass the average mark. But with such treatment as most girls still undergo, the wonder is they don’t all turn out Fidgfumblasquidiots.’