“Father—”
“Repetition is effective if not indulged in to excess. I often use it in my arguments before juries.”
Maude flushed. She was particularly sensitive to sarcasm, but could stand any amount of good-natured raillery.
“Father, I'm going to be married.”
The Hon. Nathaniel readjusted his glasses and regarded the speaker.
“It must be a clandestine attachment. I am not aware of meeting any gentleman who declared any desire to make you his wife. At whose house have you met your intended? I have no reason to suspect your Aunt Ella owing to her absence in Europe.”
“I've never been to anybody's house. I've walked with him on the Common and in the Public Garden.”
“Ah, two parks frequented by the elite of the city.”
Maude resented his last remark. “Just as good people as I am go there.”
“Do you mean that you are no better than those who go there?”