And of course both of those are very reprehensible--in an artist's wife," she finished, a little tremulously.
"Humph! Well, I don't think I should worry about that," observed Aunt Hannah with grim positiveness.
"No, I don't mean to," smiled Billy, wistfully.

"I only told you so you'd understand that it was just as well if I did have something to take up my mind--besides Bertram.

And of course music would be the most natural thing." "Yes, of course," agreed Aunt Hannah.
"And it seems actually almost providential that Mary--I mean Mr.
Arkwright is here to help me, now that Cyril is gone," went on Billy, still a little wistfully.
"Yes, of course.

He isn't like--a stranger," murmured Aunt Hannah.

Aunt Hannah's voice sounded as if she were trying to convince herself--of something.
"No, indeed! He seems just like one of the family to me, almost as if he were really--your niece, Mary Jane," laughed Billy.
Aunt Hannah moved restlessly.
"Billy," she hazarded, "he knows, of course, of your engagement ?" "Why, of course he does, Aunt Hannah everybody does!" Billy's eyes were plainly surprised.
"Yes, yes, of course--he must," subsided Aunt Hannah, confusedly, hoping that Billy would not divine the hidden reason behind her question.