Both the women whirled round toward him. They hardly could have been astounded if the kidneys had commented on their complexions.
"Alaric! how dare you sir!"
"A-and I only say if you go to Rome I hope you won't be nasty to Mr. Rose."
"Did you ever hear such nonsense, Amelia? Why not, I should like to know?"
"A-and he taught me to swim."
"So he did me. At least he tried to. And what of that?" snapped the girl.
"A-and I don't think it's fair. I liked him. A-and father liked him."
"Yes indeed, he's just the sort of man your father would have liked, unfortunately. He liked that sonnet-man, too. A pretty kind of person! All I can say is, Alaric, if I were to let you see the letters I've got of his and the albums full——: but there, you don't know as much as I do about your father!"
The boy bellowed. "A-and don't you dare say anything against father! I won't stand it. Amelia knows I won't stand it from her; and I won't from anyone, not even from you, mother. I won't, I tell you! I'll go right away if I have another word. Mother, I'm sorry: but you oughtn't. A-and I don't want you to be nasty to Mr. Rose, because I liked him, a-and father liked him," concluded Alaric departing.