“Foolish? she's an unladylike person!” cried Miss North, with so much feeling that her mother looked at her in mild astonishment. “And coarse, too,” said Mary North; “I think married ladies are apt to be coarse. From association with men, I suppose.”
“What has she done?” demanded Mrs. North, much interested.
“She hinted that he—that you—”
“Well?”
“That he came here to—to see you.”
“Well, who else would he come to see? Not you!” said her mother.
“She hinted that he might want to—to marry you.”
“Well,—upon my word! I knew she was a ridiculous creature, but really—!”
Mary's face softened with relief. “Of course she is foolish; but—”
“Poor Alfred! What has he ever done to have such a daughter-in-law? Mary, the Lord gives us our children; but Somebody Else gives us our in-laws!”