“I should think it was obvious,” said Norma. “Mr. Padgate has done me the very great honour to ask me to be his wife. I have agreed. I am over age and a free agent, so there's nothing more to be said, mother.”
Mrs. Hardacre refused to take the announcement seriously. Her thin lips worked into a smile.
“This is sheer folly, my dear Norma. Over age or not we can't allow you to disgrace yourself and us—”
“We have never had such honour conferred on us in all our lives,” said Norma.
Mrs. Hardacre shrugged her shoulders pityingly.
“Among sane folks it would be a disgrace and a scandal. Even Mr. Padgate would scarcely take advantage of a fit of hysterical folly.” She turned to Jimmie. “I assure you she is hardly responsible for her actions. You are aware what you would be guilty of in bringing her into this—this—?” She paused for a word and waved her hand around.
“Hovel?” suggested Jimmie, grimly. “Yes. I am aware of it. Miss Hardacre must not consider herself bound by anything she has said to-night.”
Connie Deering, who had come up waiting for a chance to speak, her forget-me-not eyes curiously hard and dangerous, broke in quickly:
“Why did you say even Mr. Padgate, Mrs. Hardacre?”
“Mr. Padgate has a reputation—” said Mrs. Hardacre, with an expressive gesture.