Page:Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey (1st edition), Volume 3 (Agnes Grey).djvu/355

Rh to do so then? I told him the place of our abode.

He asked how we prospered in our affairs; I told him we were doing very well,—that we had had a considerable addition to our pupils after the Christmas vacation, and expected a still further increase at the close of this.

"You must be an accomplished instructor," he observed.

"No, it is my mother," I replied, "she manages things so well, and is so active, and clever, and kind."

"I should like to know your mother—Will you introduce me to her sometime if I call?"

"Yes, willingly."

"And will you allow me the privilege of an old friend, of looking in upon you now and then?"

"Yes, if—I suppose so."

This was a very foolish answer, but the truth was, I considered that I had no right to invite any one to my mother's house without her knowledge: and if I had said, "yes, if my mother does not object," it would appear as if, by his question, I understood more than was expected, so, supposing she would not, I added,