"Oh, because everybody is so down on him. It has almost broken off the intimacy between him and Dr. Semple, they say."
"Good for Dr. Semple!"
"Well—I don't know—I suppose I am broader-minded than some people. I can always see both sides."
"So can I when there are two sides. This case has but one."
"Well," said Mrs. Van Dorn, in an argumentative tone that was new to her, "anyway, I think it was very natural that Richard should want to carry out his brother's wishes. But," she cast her eyes down modestly and toyed with Toddlekyns' silky ears,—"wouldn't you almost think he would have to have somebody to help him—in bringing this child up?"
"Humph!" came from her aunt.
"He has Mammy Cely," said Bess, innocently.
"Oh, Mammy Cely—an old negro—yes. But anybody that has a child to rear would feel the need, I should think, of a sympathizing—well I don't care, I think if Richard De Jarnette is really going to take Philip, he should look out for somebody to be a mother to him."
"And I think he had better let him stay with the mother the Lord gave him!" cried Bess, indignantly, with a flash of her grandmother's spirit.
Mrs. Pennybacker contented herself with looking keenly at her niece over her spectacles. There was something about the look that embarrassed Mrs. Van Dorn.