Page:The principal girl (IA principalgirl00snai).pdf/156

 no practical purpose will be served by third and fourth parties discussing it—except, perhaps, in a spirit purely academic."

In a spirit purely academic! Well done, Peggy, whispered the delighted shade of John Peter Kendall, hovering somewhere in a cornice of the ceiling, immediately above the bust of himself.

"Mrs. Cathcart, as a woman of the world, and as one who is in a position to appreciate the feelings of a mother, I am sure I shall not appeal to you in vain."

When in doubt, saith the Diplomatist's Handbook, Suaviter in Modo is a card you should always play. But how often has Grandmamma seen it, in the course of her eighty-four summers, do you suppose?

It was here that the Braided Morning Coat felt it was up to it to say something, and forthwith proceeded to do so.

"I agree with you, ma'am," said he. "It's just a matter for Mary and me. She won't say Yes, and I won't take No, and there we are at present. But I'm goin' to ask her again, because I love her and all that, and I know I'm not worthy of her—but I'm goin' to try to be, and I'm goin' to see about Parliament at once."

The silence was ominous.

"That appears to be a perfectly manly and straight