Dan flushed, and stopped laughing. “I don't know what you mean by characteristic. The thing didn't have to be decided at once, and I didn't suppose it would be difficult for either side to give way, if it was judged best. I was sure my mother wouldn't insist.”
“It seems very easy for your family to make sacrifices that are not likely to be required of them.”
“You mustn't criticise my mother!” cried Dan.
“I have not criticised her. You insinuate that we would be too selfish to give up, if it were for the best.”
“I do nothing of the kind, and unless you are determined to quarrel with me you wouldn't say so.”
“I don't wish a quarrel; none is necessary,” said Alice coldly.
“You accuse me of being treacherous—”
“I didn't say treacherous!”
“Faithless, then. It's a mere quibble about words. I want you to take that back.”
“I can't take it back; it's the truth. Aren't you faithless, if you let us go on thinking that you're going to Europe, and let your mother think that we're coming home to live after we're married?”