"Oh, Joan'll get away from you. She's only fourteen now, but when she's my
age--well, I guess you and your old crowd are the last of the Mohicans. I
doubt if there'll even be any chaperons left. Joan may not smoke nor drink.
Who cares for 'vices,' anyhow? But you haven't got a moat and drawbridge
round Rincona, and she'll just get out and mix. She'll float with the
stream--and all streams lead to Burlingame."

"I have no fear about Joan," said Mrs. Abbott, with dignity. "Four years
are a long time. I shall sow seeds, and she is a born Ballinger--I am
dreadfully afraid that my dear father is coming out in you. Even the boys
are Ballingers--"



VI


"Tell me about father?" coaxed Alexina, who was repentant, now that
the excitement of the day had reached its climax in the baiting of her
admirable sister and was rapidly subsiding. "Mother let fall something this
morning; and once Aileen...she began, but shut up like a clam. Was he so
very dreadful?"

"Well, since you know so much, he was what is called fast. Married men of
his position often were in his day--quite openly. Yesterday, I should have
hesitated--"

"Fire away. Don't mind me. Yes, I know what fast is. Lots of men are
to-day. Even members of the A. A."