“A Catholic, I suppose?” said Miss Linkin disagreeably.
“No, he is a Protestant,” answered Dan.
“I am glad to hear that you number a man who is a Protestant among your friends,” said his aunt.
Dan laughed. “Why, really, aunt,” he exclaimed, “nearly all my friends are Protestants! I have been painting a portrait, however, of the most beautiful woman the world holds, and she is a Catholic.”
The sisters exchanged alarmed glances.
If Dan had fallen in love! This would indeed be a blow! It had been bad enough that he had taken up painting as a profession, when he might have done something that would have given them all a decent income; but to fall in love—possibly to marry!—that was a calamity indeed!
“Beauty is only skin deep,” said Miss Linkin.
“Oh, but such a skin!” ejaculated Dan aggravatingly.
Miss Linkin sniffed.
Mrs. Webster sighed.