"Charles!" said Mrs. Pierce.

This remark of Mrs. Pierce's generally meant a resort to a handkerchief,
and Mr. Pierce did not care for any increase of atmospheric humidity
just then. He therefore concluded that since his wit was taken
seriously, he would try a bit of seriousness, as an antidote.

"I don't think there is any occasion to interfere. Whatever Peter does
can make no difference, for it is perfectly evident that Helen is nice
to him as a sort of duty, and, I rather suspect, to please Watts. So
anything she may do will be a favor to him, while the fact that she is
attractive to Peter will not lessen her value to--others."

"Then you don't think--?" asked Mrs. Pierce, and paused there.

"Don't insult my intelligence," laughed Mr. Pierce. "I do think. I think
things can't be going better. I was a little afraid of Mr. Pawling, and
should have preferred to have him and his sisters later, but since it is
policy to invite them and they could not come at any other time, it was
a godsend to have sensible, dull old Peter to keep her busy. If he had
been in the least dangerous, I should not have interfered, but I should
have made him very ridiculous. That's the way for parents to treat an
ineligible man. Next week, when all are gone but Watts, he will have his
time, and shine the more by contrast with what she has had this week."

"Then you think Helen and Watts care for each other?" asked Mrs. Pierce,
flushing with pleasure, to find her own opinion of such a delightful
possibility supported by her husband's.

"I think," said Mr. Pierce, "that the less we parents concern ourselves