“I’m awfully sorry, Mrs. Haden,” said Michael awkwardly “But as it was my last night, I suggested driving back from Hampton Court. It was all my fault; I do hope you won’t be angry with Lily.”
“But I am angry with Lily,” said Mrs. Haden. “Very angry. She’s old enough to know better, and you’re old enough to know better. How will people think I’m bringing up my daughters, if they return at midnight with young men in hansoms? I never heard of such a thing. You’re presuming on your age. You’ve no business to compromise a girl like this.”
“Compromise?” stammered Michael.
“None of the young people but you has ever ventured to behave like this,” Mrs. Haden went on with sharply metallic voice. “Not one of them. And, goodness knows, every Sunday the house is full of them.”
“But they don’t come to see Lily,” Michael pointed out. “They come to see you.”
“Are you trying to be rude to me?” Mrs. Haden asked.
“No, no,” Michael assured her. “And, honestly, Mrs. Haden, I didn’t think you minded me taking Lily out.”
“But what’s going to happen?” Mrs. Haden demanded.
“Well—I—I suppose I want to marry Lily.”
Michael wondered if this statement sounded as absurd to Mrs. Haden as it sounded to himself.