“I don’t see what this younger generation is coming to,” said Mrs. Morton plaintively. “I can’t see where children learn such bad manners.”
“Probably corrupted by their elder brothers, Mother dear,” retorted Frank. “But, changing the subject, I am curious to see what Gassett will do.”
“Yes, I am curious about his first move myself. Perhaps, he’ll come up here and demand the papers of Mother or maybe he’ll send a lawyer.”
“Well, for my part I think the sensible thing to do would be to send him the papers and stop all this fuss,” Mrs. Morton replied.
“Why, Mother!” Ernest started up indignantly.
“You forget, Mother, that those papers happen to be worth five thousand dollars,” said Frank, lifting his eyebrows.
Jane looked from the boys to her mother in horrified amazement.
“They are Alice’s papers, Mother, so there!”
“We don’t know whether they are Alice’s or not, my dear, and little girls should be seen and not heard.”
“But they’ve got Alice’s father’s name on them!” Jane’s mental crater was seething and no snubbing could keep it from boiling over. “I just guess you wouldn’t like it if somebody took something that belonged to your little girl.”