You even encouraged them to enlist in an unseemly campaign to elect that young imbecile, Kenneth Forbes, and--" "Oh, Martha, Martha! Get to the point, if you can.

I'm going, presently." "Not until you've heard me out.

You've given your nieces every advantage in your power save one, and the neglect of that one thing renders futile all else you have accomplished." Now, indeed, her listener seemed perplexed.

He passed a hand over his shiny bald head as if to stimulate thought and exorcise bewilderment.
"What is it, then?
What have I neglected ?" was his mild enquiry.
"To give those girls their proper standing in society." He started; smiled; then looked grave.
"You're talking foolishly," he said.

"Why, confound it, Martha, they're as good girls as ever lived! They're highly respected, and--" "Sir, I refer to Fashionable Society." The capitals indicate the impressive manner in which Mrs.Merrick pronounced those words.
"I guess money makes folks fashionable; don't it, Martha ?" "No, indeed.