"You are a strange girl, Clara."
"But you love me if I am, mamma Rachael."
"Love you, child! You will never know how much!"
"And if it so happened that he did really like me, you wouldn't go against it?"
"But what would my will be opposed to that of your father?"
"Only this—you can do anything with papa. Don't I remember when I was a little girl?"
Rachael sighed heavily.
"That was a long time ago, Clara, and childish wants are easily satisfied."
Clara threw both arms around her stepmother's neck and kissed her.
"Never mind if he is a little stubborn now and then; you can manage him, yet, mamma. Only, don't let Mr. Closs do that horrid thing. I never could ride alone with the ponies after the last three weeks. You don't know how instructive he is! Why, we have travelled all over the world together, and now he wants to throw me overboard; but you won't let him do that, mamma Rachael. What need is there of any thought about what may come? We are all going on beautifully, now, and, I dare say, papa is enjoying himself shooting grouse. When he comes back and sees how much Mr. Closs is like you, everything will be right. Only, mamma Rachael, tell me one thing. Are you sure that—that he isn't thinking me a child, and likes me only for that? This very night he called me 'my child,' and said he was going. That made me wretchedly angry, so I came in here. Now tell me—"