I'm glad they have good times--there's safety in numbers, you know." "There will be a scandal in this community before long!" said the old lady solemnly.

"And it grieves me to think that this household will be responsible for it!" Diantha heard all this from the linen room while Madam Weatherstone buttonholed her daughter-in-law in the hall; and in truth the old lady meant that she should hear what she said.
"She's right, I'm afraid!" said Diantha to herself--"there will be a scandal if I'm not mighty careful and this household will be responsible for it!" Even as she spoke she caught Ilda's childish giggle in the lower hall, and looking over the railing saw her airily dusting the big Chinese vases and coquetting with young Mr.Mathew.
Later on, Diantha tried seriously to rouse her conscience and her common sense.

"Don't you see, child, that it can't do you anything but harm?
You can't carry on with a man like that as you can with one of your own friends.

He is not to be trusted.

One nice girl I had here simply left the place--he annoyed her so." Ilda was a little sulky.