"How should I know? I never thought of asking. I'm not a police detective, and I always think that if my friends have anything they want me to know, they'll tell me; and if they don't want me to know, why should I ask them?"
"But, Eva, one is responsible for one's relations. The fact is, such an intimacy stands right in the way of a girl's having good offers—it keeps other parties off. Now, I tell you, as a great secret, there is a very fine man, immensely rich, and every way desirable, who is evidently pleased with Alice."
"Dear me, Aunty! how you excite my curiosity. Pray who is it?" said Eva.
"Well, I'm not at liberty to tell you more particularly; but I know he's thinking about her; and this report about her and Jim would operate very prejudicially. Now shall I have a talk with Alice, or will you?"
"Oh, Aunty dear, don't, for pity's sake, say a word to Alice. Young girls are so sensitive about such things. If it must be talked of, let me talk with Alice."
"I really thought, if I had a good chance, I'd say something to the young man himself," said Aunt Maria, reflectively.
"Oh, good heavens! Aunty, don't think of it. You don't know Jim Fellows."
"Oh, you needn't be afraid of me," said Aunt Maria. "I am a great deal older and more experienced than you, and if I do do anything, you may rest assured it will be in the most discreet way. I've managed cases of this kind before you were born."
"But Jim is the most peculiar"—
"Oh, I know all about him. Do you suppose I've seen him in and out in the family all this time without understanding him perfectly?"