Molly rushed into the house. Her mother was seated in the morning room, busily writing.
“Well, my dear, well?” she said. “I hear you—you need not bang the door. What is it, Molly?”
“Oh, mother! do look up and listen.”
Mrs. Hartrick raised her head slowly.
“Yes, dear?” she said.
“I have behaved a great deal better lately—have I not, mother?”
“You certainly have, Molly; and I am pleased with you. If you would restrain some of your impetuosity, I should be glad to tell you how pleased I am.”
“It is all owing to Nora.”
“To Nora, my dear! Nora is as wild as you are.”
“All the same, it is owing to Nora; and she is not as wild as I am. I mean that I have been downright vulgar; but if you think there is one trace of that in little Nora, it is because you do not know her a bit.”