"And Ford———"
"He's mamma's precious white-haired boy this time," declared the slangy Cecile.
"Do—do you suppose he knew it all the time?" questioned Marian.
"Never! Just like old Doc Ambrose says, there isn't much above Fordy's ears but solid bone," scoffed L'Enfant Terrible.
"Wait till ma hears of this," murmured Prue, and they proceeded to beat a retreat for home that their mother might be informed of the wonder. Lawford was already out of sight.
"How really fortunate Fordy is," murmured Mrs. Tapp, having received the shocking news and been revived after it. "Fancy! Mrs. Conroth's own niece!"
"It's going to put us in just right with the best of the crowd at The
Beaches," Prue announced. "We've only been tolerated so far."
"Oh, Prudence!" admonished Mrs. Tapp.
"That's the truth," her second daughter repeated bluntly. "We might as well admit it. Now, if Fordy only puts this over with this Miss Grayling, they'll have to take us up; for it's plain to be seen they won't drop Miss Grayling, no matter whom she marries."
"If Fordy doesn't miss the chance," muttered Cecile.