“Perhaps not, but we must love Irene for Scott’s sake, for you know she will be his wife some time.”
June looked thoughtful a few moments, and then asked, suddenly:
“Mama, why don’t Irene’s mother come with her sometimes? You know she has been here often to stay, and she always comes alone.”
“Did you not know that her mother was dead? Poor Irene is an orphan.”
“I don’t think she is very poor. She dresses splendidly, and she has the most beautiful diamonds and all kinds of jewelry, and the loveliest bonnets; oh, my, I never saw prettier ones, and the dresses, I never saw the end of them.”
“Why, June, what a little extravagant minded child you are; of course I do not mean that Irene is poor in purse. She has all that is necessary to gratify every wish, as regards wealth, but she has no mother, and I think she said her father never took her into society, and of course she lacks sympathy, just as any young girl does who is without parents.”
“Do people always have to love their brothers’ wives, mama?”
“Why, no, but they should love them if they can, and I see no reason why you or anyone else should not love Irene.”
“Well, I’ll try to love her if she is going to marry Scott,” said June, so submissively that it caused Mrs. Wilmer to smile.