"What a question that is to ask, mamma ?" she did say tossing her head.
"Well, my dear, unless you tell me something how can I help you ?" "I don't know that I want you to help me,--at any rate not in that way." "In what way ?" "Oh, mamma, you are so odd." "Has he said anything ?" "Yes, he has.

He said he liked dry champagne and that he never ate supper." "If you won't tell me how things are going you may fight your own battles by yourself." "That's just what I must do.

Nobody else can fight my battles for me." "What are you going to do about Mr.Morton ?" "Nothing." "I saw him talking to you and looking as black as thunder." "He always looks as black as thunder." "Is that to be all off?
I insist upon having an answer to that question." "I believe you fancy, mamma, that a lot of men can be played like a parcel of chessmen, and that as soon as a knight is knocked on the head you can take him up and put him into the box and have done with him." "You haven't done with Mr.Morton then ?" "Poor Mr.Morton! I do feel he is badly used because he is so honest.
I sometimes wish that I could afford to be honest too and to tell somebody the downright truth.

I should like to tell him the truth and I almost think I will.

'My dear fellow, I did for a time think I couldn't do better, and I'm not at all sure now that I can.