him if he knew Count Dracula , and could tell me anything of his castle , both he and his wife crossedcrossthemselves , and , sayingsaythat they knew nothing at all , simply refusedrefuseto speak further .
Though my mother refusedrefuseto move it to my father , yet I heardhearafterwards that she reportedreportall the discoursediscourseto him , and that my father , after showing a great concernconcernat it , saidsayto her , with a sighsigh, “ That boy might be happy if he would stay at home ; but if he goes abroad , he will be the most miserable wretch that ever was born : I can give no consent to it . ”
I once saidsayto an old labouring man , who was in his last illness , and who had refusedrefuseall the food his wife had offeredofferhim .
' Helen had setsether heart upon an Indian shawl , but really when I foundfindwhat an extravagant price was asked , I was obliged to refuserefuseher .
But the old man decidedly refusedrefuse, thinking himself bound in honour to my friend , who , when he found the father inexorable , quittedquithis country , nor returnedreturnuntil he heardhearthat his former mistress was marriedmarryaccording to her inclinations .
My object is to explain the motive which has induced me to refuserefusethe right hand of friendship to my cousin , John Herncastle .