But how can we get time, Mrs.Wayne?
If we do not take definite action _against_ an engagement, we are giving our consent to it.

I want a little reasonable delay, but we can get delay only by refusing to hear of an engagement.

Do you see what I mean?
Will you help me by pretending to be a very stern parent, just so that these young people may have a few months to think it over without being too definitely committed ?" Mrs.Wayne shrank back.

She liked neither diplomacy nor coercion.
"But I have really no control over Pete," she said.
"Surely, if he isn't in a position to support a wife--" "He is, if she would live as he does." Such an idea had never crossed Mrs.Farron's mind.

She looked round her wonderingly, and said without a trace of wilful insolence in her tone: "Live here, you mean ?" "Yes, or somewhere like it." Mrs.Farron looked down, and smoothed the delicate dark fur of her muff.
She hardly knew how to begin at the very beginning like this.