“I think that she will not mind, daughter,” kindly said Mr. Lee. “Of course, we prefer to know where you are, as you know. Tell me about this lad. He is new to the school, you say?”
Betty explained. “And oh, I hope I may accept his invitation to his birthday party his mother’s giving for him. I’m to get an invitation, but Jack said that he wanted me to save the date.”
“He must think that you are popular,” smiled Mr. Lee. “I presume that you may go. He seemed rather an engaging youth. I liked him. As a rule, though, I don’t want you to go driving with the boys yet.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dinner was being put on the table as the car was driven into the garage and Betty and her father hastened to make themselves ready for the meal. As her father picked up the carving fork and attacked the steaming veal roast, he quietly remarked, “Betty seems to have a new boy friend.”
Nothing could have been more startling than that remark, it seemed to Betty. She flushed in her surprise; Mrs. Lee turned a wondering look upon her husband, and Dick chortled. Doris sat up straight with a wide grin. Then, drawing her lips together and frowning slightly she remarked, “I’m surprised, Mr. Lee, to hear such an expression from the head of the family. ‘Boy friend’ indeed! Papa, you’re getting quite too modern!”
An amused smile played about Mr. Lee’s lips as he put a generous helping of mashed potato by the slice of meat he was offering first. “Modern, is it? Yes, I believe it is and I like it better than the old expressions. It does not seem to mean as much. But by the way, the true head of the family is opposite me. My dear, is the spinach to be put on the plates or served in dishes? I am never quite sure how some of these additions go.”
“Served separately, I think,” replied Mrs. Lee, with a twinkle of her eyes to match those of her husband. “I am quite interested in your news, though. Will Betty mind if you explain?”
“I could explain,” said Doris decidedly.
Betty looked surprised again. Had Jack been with her so much that Doris could notice? She felt quite annoyed, but it would call attention to the fact if she said anything. She smiled as her father offered her the second plate, after serving her mother. “Fix that for Amy Lou, Daddy,” she said. “And when you serve my plate, remember that I had a big lunch.”