Page 171 - middlemarch

‘That you were very unsteady.’
‘Was that all?’
‘I should think that was enough, Fred.’
‘You are sure she said no more?’
‘Mary mentioned nothing else. But really, Fred, I think
you ought to be ashamed.’
‘Oh, fudge! Don’t lecture me. What did Mary say about
it?’
‘I am not obliged to tell you. You care so very much what
Mary says, and you are too rude to allow me to speak.’
‘Of course I care what Mary says. She is the best girl I
know.’
‘I should never have thought she was a girl to fall in love
with.’
‘How do you know what men would fall in love with?
Girls never know.’
‘At least, Fred, let me advise YOU not to fall in love with
her, for she says she would not marry you if you asked her.’
‘She might have waited till I did ask her.’
‘I knew it would nettle you, Fred.’
‘Not at all. She would not have said so if you had not pro-
voked her.’ Before reaching home, Fred concluded that he
would tell the whole affair as simply as possible to his father,
who might perhaps take on himself the unpleasant business
of speaking to Bulstrode.

1 0 Middlemarch