"An engagement! I should hope not. Do you consider yourself qualified to enter upon the cares and responsibilities of married life?"
"I have already said that I have no intention of getting married."
"Getting married! Why, the child is crazy. You talk of matrimony as if it were as simple a proceeding as changing your dress or going to a party."
"Some people would appear to find it so," I answered, goaded to impertinence.
But Aunt Agnes apparently did not perceive my innuendo. "I dare say," said she with asperity. "That is because there are so many fools in the world."
We sat in silence for some minutes. My aunt was so much excited that I could see her hands tremble as she put the obnoxious cutting back into her porte-monnaie. All of a sudden she looked at me over her glasses and said,—
"I am willing to give you one more chance, Virginia."
I waited for her to continue.
"If you choose to take advantage of it, well and good. If not, you must go your own ways. I am not going to make my life a burden over you any longer. If you prefer to be giddy and foolish, let those take the responsibility who have encouraged you to become so. No one shall blame me."
"You know, Aunt Agnes, I wish to be nothing of the sort."