“There, again,” I pointed out to her, “the choice was one calling for exceptional foresight. The old man—as a matter of fact, he isn’t old at all; can’t be very much older than myself; I don’t know why they all call him the old man—has formed a high opinion of Dick. His daughter told me so, and I have taken care to let Dick know it. The boy will not care to disappoint him. Her mother—”
“Whose mother?” interrupted Ethelbertha.
“Janie’s mother, Mrs. St. Leonard,” I explained. “She also has formed a good opinion of him. The children like him. Janie told me so.”
“She seems to do a goodish deal of talking, this Miss Janie,” remarked Ethelbertha.
“You will like her,” I said. “She is a charming girl—so sensible, and good, and unselfish, and—”
“Who told you all this about her?” interrupted Ethelbertha.
“You can see it for yourself,” I answered. “The mother appears to be a nonentity, and St. Leonard himself—well, he is not a business man. It is Janie who manages everything—keeps everything going.”
“What is she like?” asked Ethelbertha.
“I am telling you,” I said. “She is so practical, and yet at the same time—”
“In appearance, I mean,” explained Ethelbertha.