Sara imagined things . But I resented the aspersion of blue-stockingness cast on Betty . `` When the time comes for Betty to be interested in beaux , '' I said severely , `` she will probably give them all due attention . Just at present her head is a great deal better filled with books than with silly premature fancies and sentimentalities . I 'm a critical old fellow -- but I 'm satisfied with Betty , Sara -- perfectly satisfied . '' Sara sighed . `` Oh , I dare say she is all right , Stephen . And I 'm really grateful to you . I 'm sure I could have done nothing at all with her . It 's not your fault , of course , -- but I ca n't help wishing she were a little more like other girls . '' I galloped away from Glenby in a rage . What a blessing Sara had not married me in my absurd youth ! She would have driven me wild with her sighs and her obtuseness and her everlasting pink-and-whiteness . But there -- there -- there -- gently ! She was a sweet , good-hearted little woman ; she had made Jack happy ; and she had contrived , heaven only knew how , to bring a rare creature like Betty into the world . For that , much might be forgiven her . By the time I reached The Maples and had flung myself down in an old , kinky , comfortable chair in my library I had forgiven her and was even paying her the compliment of thinking seriously over what she had said . Was Betty really unlike other girls ? That is to say , unlike them in any respect wherein she should resemble them ? I did not wish this ; although I was a crusty old bachelor I approved of girls , holding them the sweetest things the good God has made .
I wanted XXXXX to have her full complement of girlhood in all its best and highest manifestation .
Betty Glenby Stephen aspersion beaux kinky obtuseness pink-and-whiteness right sentimentalities