Grandma continued: “The will ought to develop itself freely, just like the body. Women must know how to deliberate, to be fit companions for strong men; and a young girl ought to have some experience of life to make her way later and to choose her husband.”
“To choose a husband!” grand’mère cried; “but I suppose that is the parents’ concern?”
“Well, I declare!” was the answer of grandma, who did not declare often.
Yvonne was beginning to ask herself whether, since they were talking of husbands, they would not, quite by chance, send her to look for something which had been forgotten on the garden bench.
Ethel, to get away from the subject, spoke up: “Mme. de Grojean, I have a great favor to ask of you.”
“I grant it in advance,” said Mme. Grojean.
“It is this,” said Ethel. “We are camping in the grounds of the Comtesse de Donjeon. Oh! the establishment is quite simple, and more agreeable than a hotel, I assure you. We go fishing and walking and painting; we play the banjo. It is so pleasant to live in the open air, and I would be so glad if Yvonne could come with us. We should amuse ourselves so much.”
“They went down into the garden”