"Yes," Mary said. "Opossums."
"What are opinions?"
"Opinions," Papa said, "are things that people put in other people's heads. Nasty, dangerous things, opinions."
She thought: "That was why Mamma and Papa were frightened."
"You won't put them into Mamma's head, will you, Aunt Lavvy?"
Mamma said, "Get on with your dinner. Papa's only teasing."
Aunt Lavvy's face flushed slowly, and she held her mouth tight, as if she were trying not to cry. Papa was teasing Aunt Lavvy.
"How do you like that Ilford house, Charlotte?" Mamma asked suddenly.
"It's the nicest little house you ever saw," Aunt Charlotte said. "But it's too far away. I'd rather have any ugly, poky old den that was next door. I want to see all I can of you and Emilius and Dan and little darling Mary. Before I go away."
"You aren't thinking of going away when you've only just come?"