Page:Booth Tarkington - Alice Adams.djvu/181

 "I haven't?"

"No. Your father and I didn't discuss it before you children. All you ever heard was when he'd get in such a rage, after we'd been speaking of it, that he couldn't control himself when you came in. Wasn't I always quiet? Did I ever go on talking about it?"

"No; perhaps not. But you're talking about it now, mama, after you promised never to mention it again."

"I promised not to mention it to your father," said Mrs. Adams, gently. "I haven't mentioned it to him, have I?"

"Ah, but if you mention it to me I'm afraid you will mention it to him. You always do speak of things that you have on your mind, and you might get papa all stirred up again about" Alice paused, a light of divination flickering in her eyes. "Oh!" she cried. "I see!"

"What do you see?"

"You have been at him about it!"

"Not one single word!"

"No!" Alice cried. "Not a word, but that's what you've meant all along! You haven't spoken the words to him, but all this urging him to change, to find something better to go into'—it's all been about