She decided that it was best never to be alone with her husband; the future was now too precious to go unguarded for a single moment that might be unexplainable when the triumphal hour of revelation came to hand.

She impressed this fact upon her sister, with the result that while Brock was never alone with his prudent wife, he was seldom far from the side of the adorable lieutenant.

As if precociously providing for an ultimate alibi, the fickle Tootles began to show unmistakable signs of aversion for her temporary parent.

Mrs.Rodney, being an old-fashioned mother, could not reconcile herself to this unfilial attitude, and gravely confided to her husband that she feared Medcroft was mistreating his child behind their backs.
"Well, the poodle likes him, anyway," protested Mr.Rodney, who liked Brock; "and if a dog likes a man he's not altogether a bad lot.

If I were you, I wouldn't spread the report." "Spread it!" she sniffed indignantly.