"No," said Lois with some deliberation. "He is pleasant, what I have seen of him."
"And, as I remarked, that is a good deal. Isn't he a handsome fellow? I think Tom Caruthers is a good fellow, too. And he is likely to be a successful fellow. He is starting well in life, and he has connections that will help him on. It is a good family; and they have money enough."
"How do you mean, 'a good family'?"
"Why, you know what that phrase expresses, don't you?"
"I am not sure that I do, in your sense. You do not mean religious?"
"No," said Mrs. Wishart, smiling; "not necessarily. Religion has nothing to do with it. I mean—we mean— It is astonishing how hard it is to put some things! I mean, a family that has had a good social standing for generations. Of course such a family is connected with other good families, and it is consequently strong, and has advantages for all belonging to it."
"I mean," said Lois slowly, "a family that has served God for generations. Such a family has connections too, and advantages."
"Why, my dear," said Mrs. Wishart, opening her eyes a little at the girl, "the two things are not inconsistent, I hope."
"I hope not."
"Wealth and position are good things at any rate, are they not?"