“Beatrice, I’m amazed. What must he think of you?” “Now, you know very well, mother, that a girl in my position has to do the courting if the man’s poor[125] and has any self-respect. In fact, I’ve got a notion that the women, in any circumstances, do a lot more courting than is generally supposed.” [125] “I don’t know how it is in this day,” said her mother stiffly. “But in my day——” “You wouldn’t own up, mother dear,” laughed the girl. “And your manner is suspiciously like an attempt to hide guilt.” “I’m sure of one thing,” said Mrs. Richmond tartly. “In my day children did not insult their parents.” “Now, don’t get cross at my joking, dear,” cajoled the daughter, kissing her mother’s well-arranged, gray hair so lightly that there could be no danger of disarranging it. As if it had all suddenly come over her again Mrs. Richmond cried despairingly, “What will your father say! He’ll blame me. He’ll say things that will prostrate me.” “If you’ll not mention it to him,” said Beatrice, “I’ll guarantee that he’ll not blame you. Hank is going away in the morning. You and Hector can pretend to know nothing. I’ll take it up with him.” Her mother looked somewhat reassured, but said dubiously, “He’ll give it to me for not having guarded you more closely.” [126]“I’ll fix all that,” said Beatrice with infectious confidence. “Trust me.” [126] Mrs. Richmond gave her a look of gratitude so deep that it was almost loving. “If you’d only be sensible and put this foolishness out of your mind,” she said plaintively. Rix laughed gayly, then softly. “It isn’t in my mind,” said she. “It’s in another place—one I didn’t know about until I met him.” She looked at herself admiringly in a long mirror that happened to be at hand. “Don’t you see how much better looking I’ve grown of late? You understand why. Oh, I’m so happy!” Her mother gave a sigh of helplessness. Rix laughed again and went away to her own rooms—to try to write poetry! [127] VI THE GUILE OF INNOCENCE The following morning it was not yet half past six and
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