Page:The Awkward Age (New York, Harper and Brothers, 1899).djvu/156

THE AWKWARD AGE She makes him feel," she went on, "so innocent and good."

Her companion, for a moment, said nothing; and then at last: "And will she come in?"

"I haven't the least idea."

"Don't you know where she is?"

"I suppose she's with Tishy, who has returned to town."

Vanderbank turned this over. "Is that your system now—to ask no questions?"

"Why should I ask any—when I want her life to be as much as possible like my own? It's simply that the hour has struck, as you know. From the moment she is down, the only thing for us is to live as friends. I think it's so vulgar," Mrs. Brook sighed, "not to have the same good manners with one's children as one has with other people. She asks me nothing."

"Nothing?" Vanderbank echoed.

"Nothing."

He paused again; after which, "It's very disgusting!" he exclained. Then as she took it up as he had taken her word of a moment before, "It's very preposterous," he continued.

Mrs. Brook appeared at a loss. "Do you mean her helping him?"

"It's not of Nanda I'm speaking—it's of him." Vanderbank spoke with a certain impatience. "His being with her in any sort of direct relation at all. His mixing her up with his not very tidy muddles."

Mrs. Brook looked intelligent and wan about it, but also perfectly good-humored. "My dear man, he is such a perfect ass!"

Vanderbank laughed in spite of himself. "And does that make it any better?"

Mrs. Brook thought, but presently had a light—she almost smiled with it. "For us." Then more wofully, "Don't you want Carrie to be saved?" she asked. 146