“Polly is not to be worried, Richard,” she said finally.
The younger woman laughed.
“See, one can make anything useful, even ill health! Aunt Patricia, we have not quarreled seriously. Our difficulty concerns the girl, Juliet Temple, whom Richard brought to us last evening. I don’t see just how she is to fit into our household under the present circumstances, while Richard has a different point of view.”
“Yes,” said Richard, “and I appeal to you, Aunt Patricia. After all, Tahawus cabin belongs to you and not to Polly. Here I have been attempting to play knight-errant and my wife declines to uphold me. A sorry knight-errant indeed!”
Five minutes later Miss Patricia was saying conclusively:
“The girl shall stay here through the Christmas holidays. No one shall be without a home and friends at such a season. It will be difficult I know, Polly dear, but if you will talk to the Camp Fire girls they will be kinder to Miss Temple than any request from me could make them. Strange as it may seem to you, Richard, the Camp Fire girls are devoted to Polly and she has an extraordinary influence over them all. But Polly is quite right, we cannot consider asking the girl to become a member of our Camp Fire until we discover whether or not the other girls like and approve of her. You seem to know singularly little concerning your own protégée, sir.”
Mrs. Burton’s laughter held a note of teasing, as Aunt Patricia’s directness was always amusing unless one chanced to be the victim.
“Yes, well, perhaps that is true, but she comes of excellent family, I believe.”
“I care little about family, the question is of the girl herself. Remember, I was a poor Irish girl until my brother left me his fortune, and have no aristocratic leanings. Polly and I will leave you and talk to the girl herself. I have little opinion of a man’s judgment in such a case.”
“What is the matter with Richard, Polly, he looks worried?” Miss Patricia demanded as they moved away. “Is it a question of money?”