I was editor of the AVALANCHE in Fiddletown when she took you to San Francisco." "You mean my stepmother; she wasn't my mother, you know," interposed Carry hastily.
Mr.Prince looked at her curiously.

"I mean your stepmother," he said gravely.

"I never had the pleasure of meeting your mother." "No; MOTHER hasn't been in California these twelve years." There was an intentional emphasizing of the title and of its distinction that began to interest coldly Prince after his first astonishment was past.
"As I come from your stepmother now," he went on with a slight laugh, "I must ask you to go back for a few moments to that point.

After your father's death, your mother--I mean your stepmother--recognized the fact that your mother, the first Mrs.Tretherick, was legally and morally your guardian and, although much against her inclination and affections, placed you again in her charge." "My stepmother married again within a month after father died, and sent me home," said Carry with great directness, and the faintest toss of her head.
Mr.Prince smiled so sweetly, and apparently so sympathetically, that Carry began to like him.

With no other notice of the interruption he went on, "After your stepmother had performed this act of simple justice, she entered into an agreement with your mother to defray the expenses of your education until your eighteenth year, when you were to elect and choose which of the two should thereafter be your guardian, and with whom you would make your home.