Your son is your son
till he gets him a wife: but your daughter's your daughter,
ALL--THE----DAYS--OF HER LIFE.
Divine power of native eloquence: with this trite distich you made
hexameters tame; it gushed from that great young heart with a sweet
infantine ardour, that even virtue can only pour when young, and youth
when virtuous; and, at the words I have emphasised by the poor device of
capitals, two lovely, supple arms flew wide out like a soaring
albatross's wings, and then went all round the sad mother, and gathered
every bit of her up to the generous young bosom.
"I know it, I know it!" cried Mrs. Dodd, kissing her; I shall never lose
my daughter while she breathes. But I am losing my child. You are turning
to a woman visibly: and you were such a happy child. Hence my misgivings,
and these weak tears, which you have dried with a word: see!" And she
contrived to smile. "And now go down, dearest: he may be impatient; men's
love is so fiery."
The next day Mrs. Dodd took Julia apart and asked her whether there was
an answer from Mr. Hardie. Julia replied, from Alfred, that Jane had
received a letter last night, and, to judge by the contents, Mr.
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