“I was looking forward to seeing you in that new frock,” said my father. In the case of another, one might have attributed such a speech to tact; in the case of my father, one felt it was a happy accident.
My mother confessed—speaking with a certain indulgence, as one does of one's own follies when past—that she herself also had looked forward to seeing herself therein. Threatening discord melted into mutual sympathy.
“I so wanted everything to be all right, for your sake, Luke,” said my mother; “I know you were hoping it would help on the business.”
“I was only thinking of you, Maggie, dear,” answered my father. “You are my business.”
“I know, dear,” said my mother. “It is hard.”
The key turned in the lock, and we all stood quiet to listen.
“She's come back alone,” said my mother. “I knew it was hopeless.”
The door opened.
“Please, ma'am,” said the new parlour-maid, “will I do?”
She stood there, framed by the lintel, in the daintiest of aprons, the daintiest of caps upon her golden hair; and every objection she swept aside with the wind of her merry wilfulness. No one ever had their way with her, nor wanted it.