"To you? Oh, Mrs. Dunn, we couldn't think of dragging you into it. It is
bad enough that we should be disgraced; but you must not be."

"My dear child, I THINK my position in society is sufficiently
established to warrant a risk or two. If _I_ am seen in company
with--with the encumbrance, people will merely say, 'Oh, it's another
of her eccentricities!' that's all. Now, don't worry, and don't fret all
that pretty color from your cheeks. Always remember this: it is but
for a year or a trifle over. Then you will be of age and can send your
encumbrance to the right-about in a hurry."

Caroline, under the spell of this convincing eloquence, began to cheer
up. She even smiled.

"Well," she said, "I will try to be diplomatic. I really will. But
Stephen--I'm not sure what dreadful thing HE will do."

"He will return to college soon. I will take upon myself the convincing
of the encumbrance to that effect. And while he is at home, Malcolm will
take charge of him. He will be delighted to do it."

"Mrs. Dunn, how can we ever thank you sufficiently? What should we do
without you and Malcolm?"

"I HOPE, my dear, that you will never have to do without me; not for
many years, at any rate. Of course, there is always my poor heart,
but--we won't worry, will we?"

So, with a kiss and an embrace, this affecting interview ended.