"I—I was scared to; besides, it would have been sneaky to Buddy, and——"
"Exactly."
"But now she'll be married if somebody doesn't do something."
"I am afraid there is nothing to be done but sit still and let her be married."
"But how can you, Mother?"
"I don't know how I can, to tell the truth. That's about the hardest thing any mother does, to sit still and let things happen that involve her children, but as your father says, a man's first duty is to mind his own business, and if at first you don't succeed, try, try again."
"Oh, dear!" said Elizabeth.
"Aren't you happy, Madget?"
"I want some ice-cream and some doughnuts and some cookies and some boiled ham, and I want to come and sit on your lap."