"Besides, it is only right and proper, since, one of these days you will have a house of your own and ought to know how to run it, or I pity the unfortunate man you marry!" Mrs. Bright remarked when introducing her daughter to further mysteries in the art of housekeeping. "Which puts me in mind of Tommy Deare," she continued, eyeing Honor gravely. "What do you mean to do with him?"
"I don't mean to do anything with him," laughed the girl.
"You know he is in love with you—any one can see that."
"I know, because he won't let me forget it," Honor said ruefully.
"Yet you are often about with him, riding and playing tennis—is it fair to fan his hopes?"
"He knows perfectly how I feel towards him. Short of putting him in Coventry I can do nothing less than I am doing."
"But the worst of it is that he keeps others off!" Mrs. Bright exclaimed. "There's Jack Darling who lives with him—such a nice boy and a very excellent suitor from every point of view——"
"He is not a suitor, by any means," interrupted her daughter.
"He might have been if his friend were not over head and ears in love with you!"
"I should not have encouraged him. Jack does not appeal to me. He is very dear and charming, but not the sort of man I should lose my heart to. He is weak—and I love strength."