I don't wish to seem hateful, Marian, but to tell you the truth, I wasn't favorably impressed with Mr.Hammond.Besides, he is ever so much older than you are.

He must be at least twenty-five years old." "He is twenty-nine," replied Marian coldly.

"And I am glad that he isn't as young and foolish as most of the boys I have met." "Does your mother know how you happened to meet him ?" asked Jessica unthinkingly.
But this was a little too much.

Marian rose to her feet, her voice choking with anger.

"I don't blame Eleanor Savelli for calling you busy-bodies," she said.