India 2001 books

"
"No, but a hard-fisted fellow is the only man that will suit my
daughter."
"But, Michael Stein, she herself thinks--"
"Who ever heard of asking a girl what she thinks herself? Of course
she'd sooner be a fine lady, and spend her time walking about a big
chateau than be milking cows and minding goats."
"But won't she be earning her living and her wages honestly?"
"Wages! I don't like those sort of wages, M. Chapeau. I don't mean to
say auything uncivil, and I hope you won't take it amiss, but there are
two trades I don't fancy for my children: the one is that of a soldier,
the other that of a great man's servant."
"Gracious me, Michael Stein! why I'm both," said Chapeau, rather
offended.
"I beg your pardon again and again, and I really mean no offence: clown
as I am, I hope I know better than to say anything to hurt my own guest
in my own house."
Chapeau assured him he was not offended, and begged to know why the old
man objected to see his children become soldiers or servants.
"They've no liberty," said Michael, "though they usually take a deal too
much licence.


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