Everything depends upon it--one's future, one's children's future--everything." "Humph!" with the same irritating smile, "I should think that might mean some plannin'.

And plans, the best of 'em, are likely to go wrong.

You talk about the children in your--in what you call your 'circle.' How can you plan what they'll do?
You might when they was little, perhaps; but when they grow up it's different." "It is not.

It _can't_ be! And, if they have been properly reared and understand their responsibilities, they plan with you." "Land sakes! You mean--why, s'pose they take a notion to get married?
I'm an old bach, of course, but the average young girl or feller is subject to that sort of ailment, 'cordin' to the records.

S'pose one of your circle's daughters gets to keepin' company with a chap who's outside the ring?
A promisin', nice boy enough, but poor, and a rank outsider?
Mean to say she sha'n't marry him if she wants to." "Certainly! That sort of marriage is never a happy one, unless, of course, the girl is wealthy enough not to care.