you ever see such eyes?"

"You must excuse me, Mr. Helmer," returned Mary, with a smile,
"if I don't choose to discuss Letty's merits with you; she is my
friend."

"Where would be the harm?" rejoined Helmer, looking puzzled. "I
am not likely to say anything against her. You know perfectly
well I admire her beyond any woman in the world. I don't care who
knows it."

"Your mother?" suggested Mary, in the tone of one who makes a
venture.

"Ah, come now, Miss Marston! Don't you turn my mother loose upon
me. I shall be of age in a few months, and then my mother may--
think as she pleases. I know, of course, with her notions, she
would never consent to my making love to Letty--"

"I should think not!" exclaimed Mary. "Who ever thought of such
an absurdity? Not you, surely, Mr. Helmer? What would your mother
say to hear you? I mention her in earnest now."

"Let mothers mind their own business!" retorted the youth
angrily. "I shall mind mine. My mother ought to know that by this
time."

Mary said no more. She knew Mrs. Helmer was not a mother to
deserve her boy's confidence, any more than to gain it; for she
treated him as if she had made him, and was not satisfied with