"That is the daughter of my dead sister; she lives with me and assists me as my own daughter would have done, if she had lived."
"She is certainly good to look upon. May I charge you to look well after her? The future advent of many strange men into this primitive society of yours will call for the closest watching and the most loving care on the part of you older ones."
"Ellen is the light of our eyes; she is a good girl, Colonel Haines; very loving and sincere; she is easy to lead and asks only for love in return."
"Ah, Aunt Clara, it is the paradox of human nature that man, who should be the protector of woman, is too often her assailant; and that the kindly virtues of a woman which make her the best of wives and mothers, too often renders her the easiest prey to a wicked man."
"Have you noted anything wrong with my Ellen, sir?" asked Aunt Clara, in mournful surprise.
"Not so. She is just a little too endowed with natural loveliness for her complete safety in this unhappy world."
Then, saying a few words of gratitude, the Colonel, or "Doctor Osborne," arose and put on his heavy army cloak.
"May I ask you one question, Colonel?"
"A dozen, if you will."
"Why do you come here to us under an assumed name?"