Mrs. Becker withdrew, her entire manner lifting with her shoulders.
"Well, if that's the way you feel about it, you need not be afraid that
I'm going to interfere. That's one thing I made up my mind to from the
start, never to be a professional mother-in-law in my daughter's home.
The idea!"
"Mamma, I didn't mean it that way, and you know it. I realize that you mean well. But I suppose many a family skeleton rattles its bones to the tune of 'they meant well.'"
"Lilly, you're not yourself. I'm sure you don't feel well. Baby, you mustn't be bashful with your own mother."
"Please, please don't ask me that again in—in that voice. You know I always feel well."
"We're both married women now, Lilly. If—if there's anything you want to say—"
"No."
"I always say, a single woman doesn't know she's on earth. Isn't it so,
Lilly?"
Suddenly Lilly shot her hand out to her mother's arm, her fingers digging into the flesh.
"You should have told me something—beforehand!"