Just supposing he should--aye--just supposing he has, fallen in love with Helen!" "I really think he has," said Mrs.Pierce, "though he is so different from most men, that I am not sure." "Then by all means we must stop him.

By the way, how does one stop a man's falling in love ?" asked Mr.Pierce.
"Charles!" said Mrs.Pierce.
This remark of Mrs.Pierce's generally meant a resort to a handkerchief, and Mr.Pierce did not care for any increase of atmospheric humidity just then.

He therefore concluded that since his wit was taken seriously, he would try a bit of seriousness, as an antidote.
"I don't think there is any occasion to interfere.

Whatever Peter does can make no difference, for it is perfectly evident that Helen is nice to him as a sort of duty, and, I rather suspect, to please Watts.

So anything she may do will be a favor to him, while the fact that she is attractive to Peter will not lessen her value to--others." "Then you don't think-- ?" asked Mrs.Pierce, and paused there.
"Don't insult my intelligence," laughed Mr.Pierce.