Mrs.MacHugh said that there was never fire without smoke.

And Miss Stanbury, as she took her departure, declared that the young women of the present day didn't know what they were after.

"They think that the world should be all frolic and dancing, and they have no more idea of doing their duty and earning their bread than a boy home for the holidays has of doing lessons." Then, as she went home with Dorothy across the Close, she spoke a word which she intended to be very serious.

"I don't mean to say anything against your mother for what she has done as yet.

Somebody must take the woman in, and perhaps it was natural.