Chapter 2
Mr. Novak was among the earliest of those who waited on Mrs. Bradbury. He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner. Observing his second child employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed him with: "I hope Mrs. Bradbury will like it, Cas." "We are not in a way to know what Mrs. Bradbury likes," said his mother resentfully, "since we are not to visit." "But you forget, mamma," said Castiel, "that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Shurley promised to introduce her." "I do not believe Mrs. Shurley will do any such thing. She has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her." "No more have I," said Mr. Novak; "and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you." Mrs. Novak deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her children. "Don't keep coughing so, Gabe, for Heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces." "Gabe has no discretion in his coughs," said his father; "she times them ill." "I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Gabe fretfully. "When is your next ball to be, Cas?" "To-morrow fortnight." "Aye, so it is," cried his mother, "and Mrs. Shurley does not come 3 back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce her, for she will not know her herself." "Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mrs. Bradbury to him." "Impossible, Mr. Novak, impossible, when I am not acquainted with her myself; how can you be so teasing?" "I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a woman really is by the end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Shurley and her daughters must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself." The children stared at their father. Mrs. Novak said only, "Nonsense, nonsense!" "What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?" cried he. "Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there. What say you, Micheal? For you are a young man of deep reflection, I know, and read great books and make extracts." Micheal wished to say something sensible, but knew not how.
"While Micheal is adjusting his ideas," he continued, "let us return to Mrs. Bradbury." "I am sick of Mrs. Bradbury," cried his wife. "I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me that before? If I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called on her. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now." The astonishment of his household was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Novak perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while. "How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Novak! But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your children too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am! and it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning and never said a word about it till now." "Now, Gabe, you may cough as much as you choose," said Mr. Novak; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife. "What an excellent father you have, children!" said she, when the door was shut. "I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his 4 kindness; or me, either, for that matter. At our time of life it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day; but for your sakes, we would do anything. Adam, my love, though you are the youngest, I dare say Mrs. Bradbury will dance with you at the next ball." "Oh!" said Adam stoutly, "I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I'm the tallest." The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon she would return Mr. Novak's visit, and determining when they should ask her to dinner.