I don't hold with these modern
views--any more than you do, eh? She's a nice quiet girl, devoted to her
music--a little less of _that_ would do no harm. Still, it's kept her
happy, and we lead a very quiet life at Richmond. I should like her to
begin to see more people. I want to take her about with me when I get
home. I've half a mind to rent a house in London, leaving my sisters at
Richmond, and take her to see one or two people who'd be kind to her
for my sake. I'm beginning to realise," he continued, stretching himself
out, "that all this is tending to Parliament, Helen. It's the only way
to get things done as one wants them done. I talked to Dalloway about
it. In that case, of course, I should want Rachel to be able to
take more part in things. A certain amount of entertaining would be
necessary--dinners, an occasional evening party. One's constituents like
to be fed, I believe. In all these ways Rachel could be of great help to
me. So," he wound up, "I should be very glad, if we arrange this visit
(which must be upon a business footing, mind), if you could see your way
to helping my girl, bringing her out--she's a little shy now,--making a
woman of her, the kind of woman her mother would have liked her to be,"
he ended, jerking his head at the photograph.
Willoughby's selfishness, though consistent as Helen saw with real
affection for his daughter, made her determined to have the girl to stay
with her, even if she had to promise a complete course of instruction
in the feminine graces.
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