“Oh, Kate,” burst in Maimie, almost in tears, “you are so very unkind. You know quite well what I mean.”
“Yes, I know quite well; you would not invite Ranald, for instance, to dine at your house, to meet your Aunt Frank and the Evanses and the Langfords and the Maitlands,” said Kate, spacing her words with deliberate indignation.
“Well, I would not, if you put it in that way,” said Maimie, petulantly, “and you wouldn't either!”
“I would ask him to meet every Maitland of them if I could,” said Kate, “and it wouldn't hurt them either.”
“Oh, you are so peculiar,” said Maimie, with a sigh of pity.
“Am I,” said Kate; “ask Harry,” she continued, as that young man came into the room.
“No, you needn't mind,” said Maimie; “I know well he will just side with you. He always does.”
“How very amiable of me,” said Harry; “but what's the particular issue?”
“Ranald,” said Kate.
“Then I agree at once. Besides, he is coming to supper next Sunday evening!”