"That boarding school last winter completely spoiled her," complained the mother. "And I sent her to it because Sue Perriton and Alice Bozewell go there."
"And I had a fine chance to get chummy with them!" snapped Cecile.
"They were both seniors."
"But really," Marian went on, "your entanglement with that movie actress is sure to make trouble for us, Ford. You might be a little more considerate. Just as we are getting in with the Perritons. And their guest, Mrs. Conroth, was really very nice to mother this morning on the beach. She has the open sesame to all the society there is on this side of the Atlantic. It's really a wonderful chance for us, Ford."
"And—he's bound—to spoil—it all!" Mrs. Tapp sobbed into an expensive bit of lace.
"You might be a good sport, Fordy, dear," urged Prue.
"Yes, Fordy; don't crab the game," added the vulgar Cecile.
"You know very well," said the elder sister, "how hard we have tried to take our rightful place here at The Beaches. We have the finest home by far; daddy's got the most money of any of them, and let's us spend it, too. And still it's like rolling a barrel up a sand bank. Just a little thing will spoil our whole season here."
"Do, do be sensible, Ford!" begged his mother.
"Sacrifice yourself for the family's good," said Prue.
"Dear Ford," began Mrs. Tapp again, "for my sake—for all our sakes—take thought of what you are doing. This—this actress person cannot be a girl you could introduce to your sisters——"