"If they are midshipmen's friends are they too ordinary to know?" inquired Mrs. Atterly.
"Mamma, if I am going to interest Mr. Dalzell, I don't want other girls stepping in at every other moment. I don't want to know his girl friends."
"Are you attracted to Mr. Dalzell, Cathy?" asked her mother.
"Not especially, I assure you, mamma."
"Oh, then it is not a serious affair."
"It may be," laughed the girl lightly. "If I can learn to endure Mr. Dalzell, then I may permit him to marry me when he is two years older and has his commission."
"Even if you don't care much for him?" asked Mrs. Atterly, almost shocked.
"If I marry," pouted Miss Atterly, "I don't want a husband that leaves the house every morning, and returns every evening."
"Cathy!"
"Well, I don't! In some ways I suppose it's nice to be a married woman. One has more freedom in going about alone. Now, a Naval officer, mamma, would make the right sort of husband for me. He'd be away, much of the time, on long cruises."