“I don’t think so, aunty. No one, so far as I can make out, is either decided or satisfied. Mr. Berkins is not satisfied with the society we see.”
“The Southdown Road you mean,” interrupted Mr. Brookes, “and very properly, too.”
“And father and he cannot agree upon money matters, and I don’t like a beard—”
“You never objected to a beard until Sally put you against it.”
“Yes, I did, father; I always told you—”
“Never mind the beard, tell me about the money matters that your father and Mr. Berkins can’t agree upon.”
“Mr. Berkins has offered to settle twelve thousand pounds upon me if father will settle the same amount. But father won’t agree to this; he wants Mr. Berkins to settle twelve, but does not want to settle more than seven himself upon me.”
“Is this so, James?” asked Aunt Mar
