Hardie
must have left London before Alfred's letter got there. "He is gone to
see poor Uncle Thomas."
"Why do you call him 'poor?'"
"Oh, he is not very clever; has not much mind, Alfred says; indeed,
hardly any."
"You alarm me, Julia!" cried Mrs. Dodd. "What? madness in the family you
propose to marry into?"
"Oh no, mamma," said Julia, in a great hurry; "no madness; only a little
imbecility."
Mrs. Dodd's lip curved at this Julian answer; but just then her mind was
more drawn to another topic. A serious doubt passed through her, whether,
if Mr. Hardie did not write soon, she ought not to limit his son's
attendance on her daughter. "He follows her about like a little dog,"
said she half fretfully.
Next day, by previous invitation, Dr. Sampson made Albion Villa his
head-quarters. Darting in from London, he found Alfred sitting very close
to Julia over a book.
"Lordsake!" cried he, "here's 'my puppy,' and 'm' enthusiast,' cheek by
chowl." Julia turned scarlet, and Alfred ejaculated so loudly, that
Sampson inquired "what on airth was the matter now?"
"Oh, nothing; only here have I been jealous of my own shadow, and
pestering her who 'your puppy' was: and she never would tell me.
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