I realized her predicament, and was childish enough to enjoy it, for Blakely's mother could not bear to accept a favor from a social inferior.

Had I been a child, she would have patted me on the head and presented me with a sugar plum.

As matters stood she was quite at sea; she wished to do something gracious--she didn't know how.
To make her position more impossible, who should come stalking into the room but Dad,--dear, unsuspecting Dad.

When he saw Mrs.Porter he immediately jumped at a whole row of conclusions.
"Well, well well!" he said.

"This is a sight that does me good.