? ? ? ? Had both the children been there, the affair might have been determined too easily by measuring them at once; but as Harry only was present, it was all conjectural assertion on both sides; and every body had a right to be equally positive in their opinion, and to repeat it over and over again as often as they liked.
? ? ? ? The parties stood thus:
? ? ? ? The two mothers, though each really convinced that her own son was the tallest, politely decided in favour of the other.
? ? ? ? The two grandmothers, with not less partiality, but more sincerity, were equally earnest in support of their own descendant.
? ? ? ? Lucy, who was hardly less anxious to please one parent than the other, thought the boys were both remarkably tall for their age, and could not conceive that there could be the smallest difference in the world between them; and Miss Steele, with yet greater address gave it, as fast as she could, in favour of each.
? ? ? ? Elinor, having once delivered her opinion on William's side, by which she offended Mrs.
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