cannot think that he cares for her; I almost do not believe that there
is enough purity left in him even to admire a pure-hearted young girl;
certainly not one with such high ideals and earnest ambitions as Gracie
had. 'Why does she admire him?' I fancy I hear you asking. My dear, she
doesn't; she thinks she does, and at seventeen such thoughts sometimes
work irreparable mischief; but left alone, one of these days she would
make the discovery that she was flattered by his attentions, because he
is nearly fifteen years older than she, and is brilliant in conversation,
and quoted as the finest musician in the city. I wish I knew more things
about him; what I do know shows me plainly enough the sort of man
he is; but with these guileless young things it seems as though one had
to unmask wickedness very thoroughly before they will believe that it
is anything but gossip or misrepresentation. He has gone away for a
six weeks' vacation; I don't know where, nor does Dr. Dennis. Gracie
knows, but does not enlighten me. Flossy, dear, could you give me
a little wholesome advice, do you think? I wonder, sometimes, whether
I was not too complacent over my proposed duties. Such schemed as I
had! I was going to be the blessedest step-mother that girl ever had.
That would not be saying much, possibly. Don't we all incline to think
that the second mothers must be wrong, and the sons and daughters
poor abused darlings? But I loved Gracie, you know, and she seemed to
love me, and to be so happy over the thought of our near relationship.
There is very little happiness from any such source during these days.
Gracie has retired into dignity. She can be the most dignified young
woman on occasion that I ever beheld. She is not rude to me, on the
contrary she is ceremoniously polite; calls me Mrs. Dennis, and all
that sort of thing, when necessity compels her to call me anything;
but she speaks as little as possible; sits at table with us three times
a day, when she cannot secure an excuse for absence that her father
will accept; says 'Yes, sir,' and 'No, sir,' obediently to him, and 'No,