A chaperone, indeed!" Mrs.Merrick held up her hands in horror.
"I'm not sure, John," she gasped, "that I ought to trust my dear child with an uncle who disregards so openly the proprieties." "Well, I'm sure; and the thing's settled," he said, more calmly.

"Don't worry, ma'am.

I'll look after Patsy and Beth, and Louise will look after all of us--just as she does after you--because she's so discreet.

Talk about your being a chaperone! Why, you don't dare say your soul's your own when Louise is awake.

That chaperone business is all humbuggery--unless an old uncle like me can be a chaperone.