“Because they are a long way towards it, and if you want to end it, you’ll have to use drastic measures.”
“Her own cousin, and only eighteen! I never heard of such folly.”
“But I tell you those two think they are in love with each other, and if you don’t do something, they’ll really become so before long. Thinking a thing is two-thirds of the way to doing it, as is shown by the mind cure.”
“I’ll put an end to it at once,” growled Mr. De Witt. “Never heard of such nonsense.”
“And how will you end it?” inquired Mr. Potter, smiling a little.
“End it? Tell them to stop their foolishness. Send him about his business.”
“I thought that would probably be your way. Don’t you think it would be better to get an injunction from the courts?”
“What good would an injunction do?” asked Mr. De Witt, crossly.
“Just as much good as your method. You can no more stop boys’ and girls’ love by calling it foolishness than the courts can. If you do as you propose, you’ll probably have a runaway match, or some other awful bit of folly.”
“Well, what can I do?”