“Who is Reginald?” asked Quincy.
“Oh,” said Maude, tossing her head, “he's Florence's latest. She met him night before last—”
“Maude!” Her sister's voice was full of angry protest. “Don't say another word.”
“Such matters,” said her mother mildly, “are not suitable subjects for general conversation. There is a privacy about them which should be respected.”
“We'll leave Florence out of it, then,” said Maude. “I met him at Mrs. Dulton's reception. His name is Capt. Reginald Hornaby, and he's the fourth son of Sir Wilfred Hornaby, of Hornaby Hook, Hornaby, England—don't you know,” and she winked spitefully at Florence.
“He told me all that himself,” she continued, “so I know it must be so. Won't it be nice to have a place in England where we can make ourselves at home?”
“Aunt Ella will be glad to see you at any time,” remarked Quincy. “Why don't you go back with her? She'd be delighted.”
“I would but for one thing,” replied Maude. “I'm afraid I might fall in love with an Englishman, and one title in the family is enough.”
Alice interposed: “Aunt Ella has an English husband with a title.”
“Yes,” said Maude, “but he has his title, while Reggie is four blocks away from the fire.”