"N—o," said Mrs. Caruthers hesitatingly; "I don't mean that exactly.
There are good Southern families—"
"And good Eastern families!" put in Tom.
"But nobody knows anything about this girl's family," said the ladies both in a breath.
"Mrs. Wishart does," said Philip. "She has even told me. The family dates back to the beginning of the colony, and boasts of extreme respectability. I forget how many judges and ministers it can count up; and at least one governor of the colony; and there is no spot or stain upon it anywhere."
There was silence.
"Go on, Mrs. Caruthers. What else should Tom look for in a wife?"
"It is not merely what a family has been, but what its associations have been," said Mrs. Caruthers.
"These have evidently been respectable."
"But it is not that only, Philip. We want the associations of good society; and we want position. I want Tom to marry a woman of good position."
"Hm!" said Philip. "This lady has not been accustomed to anything that you would call 'society,' and 'position'—But your son has position enough, Mrs. Caruthers. He can stand without much help."