"Well," said Mrs. Childs, patiently, "what is it?"
"Hasn't Laura told you? Mama says everybody is talking about it."
"No; she hasn't said anything."
"My dear, Freddy spent the night at the Inn, with Howard Maitland."
"What!"
"His car broke down—"
"Oh, an accident? You can't blame Fred for that. But why didn't they take the trolley?"
"They just missed the last car."
"Well, they were two careless children, but you wouldn't have had them walk into town, twelve miles, at twelve o'clock at night?"
"I certainly would! Freddy is always telling me I ought to walk to keep my weight down—so why didn't she walk home? And as for their being children, she is twenty-five and I am sure he is twenty-seven."