Billy is a married woman now.

She needs no chaperon." "Nonsense!" scowled William, again.

"Billy will always need you." Aunt Hannah shook her head mournfully.
"I like to think--she wants me, William, but I know, in my heart, it isn't best." "Why not ?" There was a moment's pause; then, decisively came the answer.
"Because I think young married folks should not have outsiders in the home." William laughed relievedly.
"Oh, so that's it! Well, Aunt Hannah, you're no outsider.

Come, run right along home and pack your trunk." Aunt Hannah was plainly almost crying; but she held her ground.
"William, I can't," she reiterated.
"But--Billy is such a child, and--" For once in her circumspect life Aunt Hannah was guilty of an interruption.
"Pardon me, William, she is not a child.

She is a woman now, and she has a woman's problems to meet." "Well, then, why don't you help her meet them ?" retorted William, still with a whimsical smile.
But Aunt Hannah did not smile.