"If you like. But you are getting older, and, I must confess, that as you have an income of your own, I think you should have a home."
"I see"--Laura looked directly at her sister--"you wish to get rid of me."
"Oh no," replied Mrs. Fane in quite a conventional way; "you are a very good companion for Walter, and he is fond of you in his weak way. As you don't trouble me, I shall be pleased to have you with us abroad. But I think it right to give you the choice."
"Of going with you as the fifth wheel on the chariot----"
"Or marrying," said Mrs. Fane calmly--"yes. That is what I mean."
"Suppose I do neither. I have my own money. I might go and live with Gerty Baldwin."
"You might," assented the elder sister, "if you like to live in a pig-sty with that lymphatic woman, who is more like a jelly than a human being."
"There's no harm in her," protested Laura.
"Nor is there in a pig. But I don't care to live with a pig. As to Gerty Baldwin, she is a fast young minx, engaged to a vulgarian."
"Mr. Tracey is a kindhearted man."