he asked , paternally , for the excellent man adored his nieces . `` Helen says it 's not best to go on with the Pole , and is perfectly nonsensical , uncle , '' began Amy , petulantly , and not very coherently . `` Better be silly now than sorry by and by . I only suggested that , being interesting , and Amy romantic , she might find this young man too charming , if we see too much of him , '' said Helen . `` Bless my soul , what an idea ! '' cried the major . `` Why , Nell , he 's an invalid , a Catholic , and a foreigner , any one of which objections are enough to settle that matter . Little Amy is n't so foolish as to be in danger of losing her heart to a person so entirely out of the question as this poor lad , is she ? '' `` Of course not . You do me justice , uncle . Nell thinks she may pity and pet any one she likes because she is five years older than I , and entirely forgets that she is a great deal more attractive than a feeble thing like me . I should as soon think of losing my heart to Hoffman as to the Pole , even if he was n't what he is . One may surely be kind to a dying man , without being accused of coquetry ; '' and Amy sobbed in the most heart-rending manner . Helen comforted her by withdrawing all objections , and promising to leave the matter in the major 's hands . But she shook her head privately when she saw the ill-disguised eagerness with which her cousin glanced up and down the platform after they were in the train , and she whispered to her uncle , unobserved , -- `` Leave future meetings to chance , and do n't ask the Pole in , if you can help it . '' `` Nonsense , my dear . You are as particular as your aunt . The lad amuses me , and you ca n't deny you like to nurse sick heroes , '' was all the answer she got , as the major , with true masculine perversity , put his head out of the window and hailed Casimer as he was passing with a bow . `` Here , Teblinski , my good fellow , do n't desert us . We 've always a spare seat for you , if you have n't pleasanter quarters . ''
With a flush of pleasure the young man came up , but hesitated to accept the invitation till XXXXX seconded it with a smile of welcome .
Amy Casimer Catholic Helen Hoffman Nell Pole Teblinski perversity years