He says
he knew that you would wish me to tell exactly what took place."
"Certainly, Charlie; there is nothing I could want hid. I was
wrong to speak of him as Foxey, and to let fly as I did about him;
but there was nothing intended to offend him in that, because, of
course, I had no idea that he could hear me. The only thing I have
to blame myself very much for is for getting into a wild passion.
I don't think any one would say I did wrong in going out of the
house after being knocked about so; but if I had not got into a
passion, and had gone straight to Bill's, or to Abijah, or to Mr.
Porson, which would have been best of all, to have stopped the
night, all this would not have come upon me; but I let myself get
into a blind passion and stopped in it for hours, and I am being
punished for it."
"It was natural that you should get in a passion," Charlie said
stoutly. "I think any one would have got in a passion."
"I don't think you would, Charlie," Ned said, smiling.
"No," Charlie replied; "but then you see that is not my way.
I should have cried all night; but then I am not a great, strong
fellow like you, and it would not be so hard to be knocked about."
"It's no use making excuses, Charlie. I know I ought not to have
given way to my temper like that. Now, Lucy dear, as you are feeling
better, you must sit up and talk to me. How is mother?"
"Mother is in bed," Lucy said.
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