She had got her mind on Mr.Beaton, and she could not detach it at once.

Besides, she was one of those women (they are commoner than the same sort of men) whom it does not pain to take out their most intimate thoughts and examine them in the light of other people's opinions.

"But I don't see how he can behave so.

He must know that--" "That what, mamma ?" demanded the girl.
"That he influenced us a great deal in coming--" "He didn't.

If he dared to presume to think such a thing--" "Now, Alma," said her mother, with the clinging persistence of such natures, "you know he did.