What does Mathilde say to you going off like this?
How long will you be gone ?" "More than a year." "Pete, how awful for her!" "There is nothing to prevent her going with me." "You couldn't take that child to China." "You may be glad to know that she is cordially of your opinion." The feeling behind his tone at last attracted his mother's full attention.
"But, my dear boy," she said gently, "she has never been anywhere in her life without a maid.

She probably doesn't know how to do her hair or mend her clothes or anything practical." "Mother dear, you are not so awfully practical yourself," he answered; "but you would have gone." Mrs.Wayne looked impish.
"I always loved that sort of thing," she said; and then, becoming more maternal, she added, "and that doesn't mean it would be sensible because I'd do it." "Well,"-- Wayne stood up preparatory to leaving the room,--"I mean to take her if she'll go." His mother, who had now finished winding her braid very neatly around her head, sank into a chair.
"Oh, dear!" she said, "I almost wish I weren't dining with Mr.Lanley.
He'll think it's all my fault." "I doubt if he knows about it." Mrs.Wayne's eyes twinkled.
"May I tell him?
I should like to see his face." "Tell him I am going, if you like.

Don't say I want to take her with me." Her face fell.
"That wouldn't be much fun," she answered, "because I suppose the truth is they won't be sorry to have you out of the way." "I suppose not," he said, and shut the door behind him.

He could not truthfully say that his mother had been much of a comfort.

He had suddenly thought that he would go down to the first floor and get Lily Parret to go to the theater with him.