"She's growing handsome, wife!" Mr. Busby declared as he took his seat at the table.
"You shouldn't say such things to young girls, Mr. Busby," said his wife reprovingly.
"Shouldn't I? Why not? It is expected that they will hear enough of that sort of thing when they get a little older."
"Why should they, Mr. Busby?" asked Rotha, innocently curious.
"Yes indeed, why should they?" echoed her aunt.
"Why should they? I don't know. As I said, it is expected. Young ladies usually demand such tribute from their admirers."
"To tell them they are handsome?" said Rotha.
"Yes," said Mr. Busby looking at her. "Ladies like it. Wouldn't you like it?"
"I should not like it at all," said Rotha colouring with a little excitement. "I don't mind your saying so, Mr. Busby; you have a right to say anything you like to me; but if any stranger said it, I should think he was very impertinent."
"You don't know much yet," said Mr. Busby.