'How do you mean in good faith?'
'Why, as girls of that sort do. Their allowance and measure in such matters is much larger than that of young ladies who have been, as you say, very well brought up; and yet I am not sure that on the whole I don't think them the more innocent. Miss Mavis is engaged, and she's to be married next week, but it's an old, old story, and there's no more romance in it than if she were going to be photographed. So her usual life goes on, and her usual life consists (and that of ces demoiselles in general) in having plenty of gentlemen's society. Having it I mean without having any harm from it.'
'Well, if there is no harm from it what are you talking about and why am I immoral?'
I hesitated, laughing. 'I retract—you are sane and clear. I am sure she thinks there won't be any harm,' I added. 'That's the great point.'
'The great point?'
'I mean, to be settled.'
'Mercy, we are not trying them! How can we settle it?'
'I mean of course in our minds. There will be nothing more interesting for the next ten days for our minds to exercise themselves upon.'
'They will get very tired of it,' said Mrs. Nettlepoint.