Mother's letters are not particularly sacred things to idolized sons of Bertram's type.
"I wonder what the old lady has got to say for herself," he murmured.
"Can she have seen Nina?
And has Nina said anything.

Not that she can seriously injure me in the mater's eyes.

No one would be more lenient to a little harmless flirtation which was never meant to lead anywhere than my good mother.

Still it was a great bore for Josephine to turn up when she did.

Obliged me to shorten my leave abruptly, and see less of Miss Beatrice.