"Not I. To tell the truth, his listless, dawdling way rather provokes me, and I have not been sorry to see less of him lately."
"He goes to the Cottage every day."
"Does he? I should not have thought that an amusement much in his way."
"You say yourself that Lucia is a wonderfully pretty girl."
"Lucia? She is a child. You don't think that attracts him?"
Mrs. Bellairs was silent.
"Elise, don't be absurd. You women are always fancying things of that kind. A fellow like Percy is not so easily caught."
"I hope to goodness I am only fancying, but I believe you would give Mrs. Costello credit for some sense, and she is certainly uneasy."
"Does she say so?"
"No. But I know it; and Maurice and Lucia are not the same friends they used to be."