Why not
try another? Johnny had his good qualities; in many ways was quite a
lovable child."
For the first time Mahony saw his wife and her eldest brother together
and he could not but be struck by Polly's attitude. Greatly as she
admired and reverenced John, there was not a particle of obsequiousness
in her manner, nor any truckling to his point of view; and she plainly
felt nothing of the peculiar sense of discomfort that invariably
attacked him, in John's presence. Either she was not conscious of her
brother's grossly patronising air, or, aware of it, did not resent it,
John having always been so much her superior in age and position. Or was
it indeed the truth that John did not try to patronise Polly? That his
overbearing nature recognised in hers a certain springy resistance,
which was not to be crushed? In other words, that, in a Turnham, Turnham
blood met its match.
John re-took his seat in the front of the wagonette, Trotty was lifted
up to see the rosettes and streamers adorning the horses, the gentlemen
waved their hats, and off they went again at a fine pace, and with a
whip-cracking that brought the neighbours to their windows.
Polly had pink cheeks with it all, and even sought to excuse the meagre
interest John had shown in his daughter. "Trotty was only a baby in arms
when he saw her last. Besides, I think she reminded him too much of her
dear mother. For I'm sure, though he doesn't let it be seen, John still
feels his loss.
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