She meant Mother, of course.

_I_ knew that.

I'm no child.
Mother knew it, too; and she didn't like it.

She flushed up and bit her lip, and answered back, cold, like ice.
"I understand, of course, what you mean, Hattie; but even if I acknowledged that this very estimable, unimpeachable gentleman was waiting to be picked (which I do not), I should have to remind you that I've already had one experience with an estimable, unimpeachable gentleman of independent fortune and stable position, and I do not care for another." "But, my dear Madge," began Aunt Hattie again, "to marry a man without _any_ money--" "I haven't married him yet," cut in Mother, cold again, like ice.

"But let me tell you this, Hattie.