Ha! ha! Oh, you mustn't mind me. I'm only a
doting mamma, dearie, and I have my air castles like everyone else.
So, freezing out won't do. No, you and Steve must be polite to our
encumbrance."
"I shall not get on my knees to him and beg. That I sha'n't do."
"No one expects you to. If anyone begs it should be he. Condescend to
just a little. Make him feel his place. Correct him when he goes too far
wrong, and ignore him when he gets assertive. As for getting rid of him
at times when it may be necessary--well, I think you may safely leave
that to me."
"To you? Oh, Mrs. Dunn, we couldn't think of dragging you into it. It is
bad enough that we should be disgraced; but you must not be."
"My dear child, I THINK my position in society is sufficiently
established to warrant a risk or two. If _I_ am seen in company
with--with the encumbrance, people will merely say, 'Oh, it's another
of her eccentricities!' that's all. Now, don't worry, and don't fret all
that pretty color from your cheeks. Always remember this: it is but
for a year or a trifle over. Then you will be of age and can send your
encumbrance to the right-about in a hurry."
Caroline, under the spell of this convincing eloquence, began to cheer
up. She even smiled.
"Well," she said, "I will try to be diplomatic.
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