Where you goin' ?" for Jerome had started towards the door.
"Into the parlor to get a book." He opened the door, but his mother beckoned him back mysteriously, and he closed it softly.
"What is it ?" he asked, wonderingly.

"Who is there?
Has Elmira got company ?" "Belinda Lamb begun quizzin' as soon as she got in here; said she thought she heard a man talkin', an' asked if it was you; an' when I said it wa'n't, wanted to know who it was.

I told her right to her face it was none of her business." "Who is it in there, mother ?" asked Jerome.
"It ain't anybody to make any fuss about." "Who is it in there with Elmira ?" "It's Lawrence Prescott, that's who it is," replied his mother, who was more wary in defence than attack, yet defiant enough when the struggle came.

She looked at Jerome with unflinching eyes.
"Lawrence Prescott!" "Yes, what of it ?" "Mother, he isn't going to pay attention to Elmira!" "Why not, if he wants to?
He's as likely a young fellow as there is in town.

She won't be likely to do any better." Jerome stared at his mother in utter bewilderment.