“That’s not a pretty way to say it, Miss von Essen.”
“It’s the fact, isn’t it?”
“I shouldn’t say so. If I were describing the thing I’d say that your father thought I was a reasonably decent fellow, and was willing to trust you with me.”
“My father is afraid to allow me at large?”
“Why, he seemed to want to keep you under his eye.”
“For an excellent reason?”
“Undoubtedly he has a reason.”
“If he is afraid I’ll do something if I get out of the house, how does he suppose you can prevent me?... Especially in a public place. Suppose I were to decide I wanted to be alone—to leave you. How would you prevent it?”
“He didn’t appear to worry about that.”
“Don’t you worry about it?”