“I’ll ask her.”
He wanted to stay far more than she wished it, so it was she who put down his opposition and triumphed.
My mother lifted her eyebrows, and said very quietly:
“He’d better go home—and be straight.”
“But look how he’d feel—he’d have to tell them . . . and how would he feel! It’s really my fault, in the end. Don’t be piggling and mean and Grundyish, Matouchka.”
“It is neither meanness nor grundyishness——”
“Oh, Ydgrun, Ydgrun——!” exclaimed Lettie, ironically.
“He may certainly stay if he likes,” said mother, slightly nettled at Lettie’s gibe.
“All right, Mutterchen—and be a sweetling, do!”
Lettie went out a little impatient at my mother’s unwillingness, but Leslie stayed, nevertheless.