He saw Mr.Thurston smile.

In the pause that followed he felt as though he had with a gesture of the hand flung a stone into a pool of chatter and scandal whose ripples might spread far beyond his control.

At that moment he hated his sister.
"I didn't know you knew her so well, dear," said his mother.
"I don't know her," he said, "I've only seen her three times.

But she ought to be given her chance.

It can't be much fun for her coming here where she knows no one--after her father suddenly dying.