"Yes, and have mamma slam him before you put in the buffer," rejoined the girl. "See here, Vievie. It's too bad, but you must have tattled something to Uncle Herbert, and he—"
"Tattled!" repeated Genevieve. "I have always been candid with papa, if that is what you mean, Dolores."
"All right, then, Miss Candid. Though we called it tattling ten years ago. Anyway, Uncle Herbert wrote about it to mamma. He sent the letter out this noon. Next thing, it'll be all over Chicago—and England."
"Dolores! I must insist!" admonished Mrs. Gantry.
"So must I, mamma! If it's wrong to destroy the property of others, it's no less wrong to destroy their reputations."
Her mother expanded with self-righteous indignation. "Well, I never!—indeed! When the fellow has neither character nor reputation!"
"Dear auntie," soothed Genevieve, "I know you too well to believe you could intentionally harm any one."
"I would do anything to save you from ruining your life!" exclaimed
Mrs. Gantry, moved almost to tears.
"I shall not ruin my life," replied Genevieve, with a quiet firmness that brought a profound sigh of relief from her aunt.
"A-a-h!—My dear child! Then you at last realize what sort of a man he is."