“Don't be alarmed. They did not go into the boat-house,” said he, sneeringly.
“I? I alarmed? It seems to me you are the one alarmed. I might say frightened,” she replied, reddening like a peony, trembling with anger, as she well understood her brother meant to allude to her well known fondness for Bob.
“Who is the lady, any way? I ask,” reiterated Mrs. Selden.
“She is George Mechlin's sister-in-law,” Arthur replied.
“Ah! That is the beauty I hear half a dozen fellows are raving about,” said Miss Selden, to pique her brother.
“Is she so very pretty, Arthur?” asked the younger sister.
“I never saw any woman so beautiful in all my life,” he answered, with dogged resolution as if about to pull the string of his shower bath.
The mother and daughters exchanged looks. They understood it all now. Poor Arthur, he, too, was raving.
“By-the-by, I met Mechlin in the street to-day, and he asked if any one was sick in our family,” observed Mr. Selden, senior.
“I understand. We will call to-morrow,” Mrs. Selden said, sententiously. “We will see the beauties.”