The Man Between | Page 7

wonder that I worship him."
"But I do not understand--how did you meet him socially?"
"I met him at Mrs. Taylor's first. Then he spoke to me one morning as I
came out of church, and the next morning he walked through the park
with me. And after that-- all was easy enough."
"I see. What does your father and mother think--or rather, what do they
say?"
"Father always says what he thinks, and mother thinks and says what I
do. This condition simplified matters very much. Basil wrote to father,
and yesterday after dinner he had an interview with him. I expected it,
and was quite prepared for any climax that might come. I wore my
loveliest white frock, and had lilies of the valley in my hair and on my
breast; and father called me `his little angel' and piously wondered
`how I could be his daughter.' All dinner time I tried to be angelic, and
after dinner I sang `Little Boy Blue' and some of the songs he loves;
and I felt, when Basil's card came in, that I had prepared the proper
atmosphere for the interview."
"You are really very clever, Dora."
"I tried to continue singing and playing, but I could not; the notes all
ran together, the words were lost. I went to mother's side and put my
hand in hers, and she said softly: `I can hear your father storming a
little, but he will settle down the quicker for it. I dare say he will bring
Mr. Stanhope in here before long."
"Did he?"
"No. That was Bryce's fault. How Bryce happened to be in the house at
that hour, I cannot imagine; but it seems to be natural for him to drop
into any interview where he can make trouble. However, it turned out
all for the best, for when mother heard Bryce's voice above all the other
sounds, she said, `Come Dora, we shall have to interfere now.' Then I
was delighted. I was angelically dressed, and I felt equal to the

interview."
"Do you really mean that you joined the three quarreling men?"
"Of course. Mother was quite calm--calm enough to freeze a
tempest--but she gave father a look he comprehended. Then she shook
hands with Basil, and would have made some remark to Bryce, but
with his usual impertinence he took the initiative, and told he: very
authoritatively to `retire and take me with her'--calling me that `demure
little flirt' in a tone that was very offensive. You should have seen
father blaze into anger at his words. He told Bryce to remember that
`Mr. Ben Denning owned the house, and that Bryce had four or five
rooms in it by his courtesy.' He said also that the `ladies present were
Mr. Ben Denning's wife and daughter, and that it was impertinent in
him to order them out of his parlor, where they were always welcome.'
Bryce was white with passion, but he answered in his affected
way--`Sir, that sly girl with her pretended piety and her sneak of a lover
is my sister, and I shall not permit her to disgrace my family without
making a protest.'"
"And then?"
"I began to cry, and I put my arms around father's neck and said he
must defend me; that I was not `sly,' and Basil was not `a sneak,' and
father kissed me, and said he would settle with any man, and every man,
who presumed to call me either sly or a flirt."
"I think Mr. Denning acted beautifully. What did Bryce say?"
"He turned to Basil, and said: `Mr. Stanhope, if you are not a cad, you
will leave the house. You have no right to intrude yourself into family
affairs and family quarrels.' Basil had seated mother, and was standing
with one hand on the back of her chair, and he did not answer
Bryce--there was no need, father answered quick enough. He said Mr.
Stanhope had asked to become one of the family, and for his part he
would welcome him freely; and then he asked mother if she was of his
mind, and mother smiled and reached her hand backward to Basil. Then
father kissed me again, and somehow Basil's arm was round me, and I

know I looked lovely-- almost like a bride! Oh, Ethel, it was just
heavenly!"
"I am sure it was. Did Bryce leave the room then?"
"Yes; he went out in a passion, declaring he would never notice me
again. This morning at breakfast I said I was sorry Bryce felt so hurt,
but father was sure Bryce would find plenty of consolation in the fact
that his disapproval of my choice would excuse him from giving me a
wedding present. You know Bryce is a mean little miser!"
"On