"Oh, but I shall be so afraid!" cried Mary, again with that shivery little laugh.
"Nothing to be afraid of, Mary. Mother's really a good sort."
"Jack! To call one's mother a 'good sort'!"
"Why not? She's bug-house on this social position business, but aside from that she's perfectly human."
"Jack!" in her scandalized tone. "Isn't he awful Matilda?"
"Ye—yes, ma'am."
"Don't call me 'ma'am,' Matilda. Since we're to be together constantly this summer, call me Mary."
"Yes, ma'a—Mary."
"That's right, Matilda," put in Jack. "We're going to run this place as a democracy. You're to have all your meals with us."
"And I'll help you get them!" Mary cried excitedly. "You'll find me tagging around after you most of the time. For, think of it, you're the only woman I'm going to see in months!"