As has been seen, Loftus would admit of no restrictions with regard to his acquaintances, and after the remarkable fashion of some young men, he tried to secure an interest in the affections of Beatrice by flirting with Matty Bell.
Mrs.Bertram knew nothing of these iniquities on the part of her son.

It never entered even into her wildest dreams that any son or daughter of her could associate with people of the stamp of the Bells.

Even had she been aware of it, however, she knew better than to try to coerce her captain.
She had quite worries enough of her own, poor woman, and not the least of them, in the eyes of the girls, was the fresh mania she took for saving.

Meals had never been too plentiful at Rosendale.

Now, the only remark that could be made in their favor was that they satisfied hunger.
Healthy girls will eat any wholesome food, and when Loftus was not at home, Catherine and Mabel Bertram made their breakfast off porridge.
Mabel ate hungrily, and grumbled not a little.