"Not at all," Alice said.

"Well, _I_ mind!" he said. "I wish you COULD understand that
when I want to dance with any girl I don't need my mother to ask
her for me. I really AM more than six years old!"

He spoke with too much vehemence, and Mrs. Dowling at once saw
how to have her way. As with husbands and wives, so with many
fathers and daughters, and so with some sons and mothers: the man
will himself be cross in public and think nothing of it, nor will
he greatly mind a little crossness on the part of the woman; but
let her show agitation before any spectator, he is instantly
reduced to a coward's slavery. Women understand that ancient
weakness, of course; for it is one of their most important means
of defense, but can be used ignobly.

Mrs. Dowling permitted a tremulousness to become audible in her
voice. "It isn't very--very pleasant--to be talked to like that
by your own son--before strangers!"

"Oh, my! Look here!" the stricken Dowling protested. "_I_
didn't say anything, mother. I was just joking about how you
never get over thinking I'm a little boy. I only----"

Mrs. Dowling continued: "I just thought I was doing you a little
favour. I didn't think it would make you so angry."

"Mother, for goodness' sake! Miss Adams'll think----"