“Don't, mamma!” pleaded Alice.
“No, I won't,” replied her mother, as before. “I suppose he was mystified. But now, if it's really settled between you, he'll be coming here soon to see your papa and me.”
“Yes—to-night.”
“Well, it's very sudden,” said Mrs. Pasmer. “Though I suppose these things always seem so.”
“Is it too sudden?” asked Alice, with misgiving. “It seemed so to me when it was going on, but I couldn't stop it.”
Her mother laughed at her simplicity. “No, when it begins once, nothing can stop it. But you've really known each other a good while, and for the last six weeks at least you've known you own mind about him pretty clearly. It's a pity you couldn't have known it before.”
“Yes, that's what he says. He says it was such a waste of time. Oh, everything he says is perfectly fascinating!”
Her mother laughed and laughed again.
“What is it, mamma? Are you laughing at me?”
“Oh no. What an idea!”