She found
strength, however, to reply to my father's remark.
"Indeed, sir, a mother's place never can be filled to a child by no
one whatever. Least of all such a mother as he had in your dear lady.
But he's a boy, sir, and not a girl, and in all reason a father is
what he'll chiefly look to in a year or two. And for the meanwhile,
sir, I ask you, could Master Reginald look better or behave better
than he did afore the company come? It's only natural as smart ladies
who knows nothing whatever of children, and how they should be brought
up, and what's for their good, should think it a kindness to spoil
them. Any one may see the lady has no notion of children, and would be
the ruin of Master Reginald if she had much to do with him; but when
the company's gone, sir, and he's left quiet with his papa, you'll
find him as good as any young gentleman needs to be, if you'll excuse
my freedom in speaking, sir."
Whatever my father thought of Mrs. Bundle's freedom of speech, he only
said,
"Master Reginald will be quite under your orders for the future,
Nurse," and so dismissed her.
And Mrs. Bundle having "said her say," withdrew to say it over again
in confidence to the housekeeper.
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