? ? ? ? I informed her that he sent his compliments, and was getting on very well indeed.
? ? ? ? 'What do you think of him?' said my aunt.
? ? ? ? I had some shadowy idea of endeavouring to evade the question, by replying that I thought him a very nice gentleman; but my aunt was not to be so put off, for she laid her work down in her lap, and said, folding her hands upon it:
? ? ? ? 'Come! Your sister Betsey Trotwood would have told me what she thought of anyone, directly. Be as like your sister as you can, and speak out!'
? ? ? ? 'Is he - is Mr. Dick - I ask because I don't know, aunt - is he at all out of his mind, then?' I stammered; for I felt I was on dangerous ground.
? ? ? ? 'Not a morsel,' said my aunt.
? ? ? ? 'Oh, indeed!' I observed faintly.
? ? ? ? 'If there is anything in the world,' said my aunt, with great decision and force of manner, 'that Mr. Dick is not, it's that.'
? ? ? ? I had nothing better to offer, than another timid, 'Oh, indeed!'
? ? ? ? 'He has been CALLED mad,' said my aunt. 'I have a selfish pleasure in saying he has been called mad, or I should not have had the benefit of his society and advice for these last ten years and upwards - in fact, ever since your sister, Betsey Trotwood, disappointed me.
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