"Mrs.
Severence, your daughter ought to get married." Roxana Severence was so amazed that her mouth dropped open.

"Married ?" she echoed, as if her ears had deceived her.
The colossal impudence of it! This young man, this extremely common young man, daring to talk to her about such a private matter! And she had not yet known him a month; and only within the last fortnight had he been making frequent visits--entirely on his own invitation, for she certainly would not overtly provoke such a visitation as his coming meant.

Mrs.Severence would have been angry had she dared.

But Craig's manner was most alarming; what would--what would not a person so indifferent to the decencies of life do if he were crossed?
"She must get married," pursued Craig firmly.

"Do you know why I've been coming here these past two or three weeks ?" Mrs.Severence was astounded anew.