The Doctor whistled as Julia set the basket in front of Jean. "Ralph is generous."
Jean had opened the attached envelope and was reading a card. A wave of self-conscious color swept over her cheeks. "Ralph didn't send them. It—it was Derry Drake."
"Drake? How did that happen?"
"He was here this afternoon for tea, and Ralph, and Emily—only Emily was late, and the tea was cold—"
"So you've made up?"
"We didn't have to make up much, Daddy, did we?" mendaciously.
Miss Emily came to the rescue. "He seems very nice."
"Splendid fellow. But I am not sure that I want him sending flowers to my daughter. I don't want anyone sending flowers to her."
Miss Emily took him up sharply. "That's your selfishness. Life has always been a garden where you have wandered at will. And now you want to shut the gate of that garden against your daughter."
"Well, there are flowers that I shouldn't care to have her pluck."