It seemed to her to be all a fluke which she could have little or
no hope of repeating. She had indeed repeated it once, and might perhaps
with good luck repeat it yet once again--but five times over! It was
awful: why she would rather have three confinements than go through the
wear and tear of marrying a single daughter.
Nevertheless it had got to be done, and poor Mrs Allaby never looked at a
young man without an eye to his being a future son-in-law. Papas and
mammas sometimes ask young men whether their intentions are honourable
towards their daughters. I think young men might occasionally ask papas
and mammas whether their intentions are honourable before they accept
invitations to houses where there are still unmarried daughters.
"I can't afford a curate, my dear," said Mr Allaby to his wife when the
pair were discussing what was next to be done. "It will be better to get
some young man to come and help me for a time upon a Sunday. A guinea a
Sunday will do this, and we can chop and change till we get someone who
suits." So it was settled that Mr Allaby's health was not so strong as
it had been, and that he stood in need of help in the performance of his
Sunday duty.
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