"Yes, papa," she said, not moving.

"And the work's right pleasant," he went on. "Mighty nice boys
in our department, Alice. Well, they are in all the departments,
for that matter. We have a good deal of fun down there some
days."

She lifted her head. "More than you do at home 'some days,' I
expect, papa!" she said.

He protested feebly. "Now, I didn't mean that--I didn't want to
trouble you----"

She looked at him through winking eyelashes. "I'm sorry I called
it a 'hole,' papa."

"No, no," he protested, gently. "It was your mother said that."

"No. I did, too."

"Well, if you did, it was only because you'd heard her."

She shook her head, then kissed him. "I'm going to talk to her,"
she said, and rose decisively.

But at this, her father's troubled voice became quickly louder:
"You better let her alone. I just wanted to have a little talk
with you. I didn't mean to start any--your mother won't----"