"Ain't you ashamed to ask me to speak plainly? I don't want to speak plainly. Do you actually want to have me?"
"If it wouldn't overpower your reason, I should like it. It would be such a convenience to me."
"Well, I mean, papa," said Lillie, coloring at her audacity, "that I don't like Mrs. Larue!"
"Don't like Mrs. Larue! Why, she is as kind to you as she can possibly be. I thought you were on the best of terms."
"I mean that I don't like her well enough to call her Mamma."
"Call her Mamma!" repeated the Doctor, staring over his spectacles in amazement. "You don't mean?—upon my honor, you are too nonsensical, Lillie."
"Am I? Oh, I am so delighted!" exclaimed Lillie eagerly. "But I was so afraid."
"Do you think I am in my dotage?" inquired the Doctor, almost indignant.
"No no, papa. Don't be vexed with me. I dare say it was very absurd in me. But I do think she is so artful and designing."
"She is a curious woman, we know," observed Ravenel. "She certainly has some—peculiarities."