“What do you know about this business between Lavinia and that young Marley?” he asked. “It seems to have developed rapidly during my absence.”
“Oh, Connie has been talking to you, I suppose!” laughed Mrs. Blair. “You know that Connie is apt to be sensational.”
Judge Blair eyed his wife narrowly. Connie was his favorite child, though he would not, of course, admit as much, and he was ever ready to spring to her defense.
“She has very bright eyes,” he said.
“Oh, now, dear,” said Mrs. Blair, “don’t overestimate this thing. Lavinia’s nothing but a child.”
“That’s just the point. Has the young man been here much?”
“Yes, he was here quite often—several evenings, in fact.”
“Humph! He seems to have taken advantage of the sunshine of my absence to make his hay.”
“Don’t do him an injustice. He didn’t meet Lavinia until just about the time you went away.”
“Well, we’ll see about it,” said the judge, darkly.