"Oh, nothing at all," soothingly replied the husband; "only that
I"—
"What?"
"That I don't, as a general thing, approve of very early marriages. The character of a young lady is not formed before twenty-one or two; nor has she gained that experience and knowledge of the world that will enable her to choose with wisdom."
"You don't pretend to say that my character was not formed at sixteen?" This was accompanied by a threatening look.
Whatever his thoughts were, Mr. Wyman took good care not to express them. He merely said—
"I believe, Margaret, that I haven't volunteered any allusion to you."
"Yes, but you don't approve of early marriages."
"True."
"Well, didn't I marry at sixteen? And isn't your opinion a reflection upon your wife?"
"Circumstances alter cases," smilingly returned Mr. Wyman. "Few women at sixteen were like you. Very certainly your daughter is not."