"I think he must be devoured with remorse," Mrs. Alaine said forcibly, "whenever he thinks of his beautiful wife."
"This Mrs. Brandon couldn't hold a candle to her," added Mrs. Stoffs.
"I never saw her," said Dick.
"She was very pretty," explained Carl, speaking unexpectedly.
"Pretty!" cried Mrs. Stoffs, in great surprise.
"Pretty!" repeated Mrs. Alaine, with great contempt.
"Pretty!" echoed Rose, with great incredulity. "Why, Uncle Carl, she was a little doll-baby!"
"She was very pretty," persisted Carl.
"Well, indeed, if you call such a baby pretty, I give up!" said Mrs. Stoffs. "Why, Mr. Dick, she did not look as if she could say boo to a goose, and yet she ruled the whole house; it was her extravagance that ruined the poor man."
"I think it was his own dishonesty," said Carl.