He was quite conscious that Susy was looking very pretty in this new and mature frock, and that as she stood beside his wife, far from ageing Mrs.Peyton's good looks and figure, she appeared like an equal companion, and that they mutually "became" one another.

This, and the fact that they were all, including Mary Rogers, in their freshest, gayest morning dresses, awakened a half-humorous, half-real apprehension in his mind, that he was now hopelessly surrounded by a matured sex, and in a weak minority.
"I think I ought to have been prepared," he began grimly, "for this addition to--to--the skirts of my family." "Why, John," returned Mrs.Peyton quickly; "do you mean to say you haven't noticed that the poor child has for weeks been looking positively indecent ?" "Really, papa, I've been a sight to behold.

Haven't I, Mary ?" chimed in Susy.
"Yes, dear.

Why, Judge, I've been wondering that Susy stood it so well, and never complained." Peyton glanced around him at this compact feminine embattlement.

It was as he feared.