Despite Maxine's rendition (at her mother's request) of "Too Much Mustard," and "I've Got a Pain in My Sawdust," with other instrumental and vocal numbers. Despite comic postcards showing vegetables the size of freight cars, Fords no larger than insects, and the romantic series by Harrison Fisher entitled "Six Periods in a Girl's Life." Despite such notable diversions as a Chinese puzzle and a set of views showing the Grand Cañon in its actual colors—
Peter felt depressed.
Supper was served at last. After the blessing, soup was ladled from a tureen embossed with lilacs into soup bowls of the same design. And with the soup came the deluge:
"I understand you want to marry my daughter," boomed Mr. Larabee.
"Well, yes, sir," Peter admitted, looking into the green, viscous liquid in his bowl and feeling ill.
"Are you prepared to support her in the manner to which...."
"Now, Charles," said Mrs. Larabee, "you were as poor as a church mouse when you asked me."
"Mother!" said the stern head of the house, "I will take care of this."
Mrs. Larabee slipped back into the soft and matronly sea of pink chiffon from which she had momentarily arisen.