“I’m sure I don’t want the common little thing around,” added Flossie, who, as has been said, was quite two years Helen’s junior.
“We couldn’t introduce her to our friends,” declared Belle.
“What a fright she’ll be!” wailed Hortense.
“She’ll wear a sombrero and a split riding skirt, I suppose,” scoffed Flossie, who madly desired a slit skirt, herself.
“Of course she’ll be a perfect dowdy,” Belle observed.
“And be loud and wear heavy boots, and stamp through the house,” sighed Hortense. “We just can’t have her, Pa.”
“Why, I wouldn’t let any of the girls of our set see her for the world,” cried Flossie.
Their father finally spoke. He had recovered from his secret emotion, but he was still mopping the perspiration from his bald brow.
“I don’t really see how I can prevent her coming,” he said, rather weakly.
“What nonsense, Pa!”