"It's all very well for you to be satisfied," I cried. "You're not going to marry Russell Hill, and have him call you 'girlie,' and see his hat move every time he raises his eyebrows. I am."
She went out very stiffly, and sent her maid in with hot tea.
I was out at a theatre party that night, and mother was in my room when I got back.
"I want to talk to you, Katherine," she said, "I've been uneasy all evening."
"If you mean about what I said this afternoon, please forget it, mother. I was tired and nervous. I didn't mean it."
"Not that. I don't want any mistake about this elopement. Now and then those things have a way of going wrong. Quite often there is trouble about a license or a minister."
"Send father ahead," I said flippantly.
"Not father. But some one really ought to look after things. Russell is not the sort to arrange anything in advance. I thought perhaps Henry—"
"Henry!"
"He is reliable," said mother. "And he has your well-being at heart. He is more like a brother than a good many brothers I know."