Herrick
apologetically; "but you know how girls love pretty things. Anna did
so long for one of these little watches, and you know it is her one-
and-twentieth birthday. By the bye, Malcolm, what have you two
arranged for to-morrow?" But when her son briefly sketched out
Anna's modest programme, Mrs. Herrick's pleasant face clouded a
little.
"What a singular choice the child has made!" she observed. "Malcolm,
I am not particularly anxious for her to be introduced to your
Bohemian friends. Oh, I don't mean to say anything against the
Kestons," warned by a certain stiffness of manner on Malcolm's part-
-"I have never even seen them; but Anna and Mrs. Keston move in such
different worlds."
"Yes, of course," he returned rather impatiently; "but a mere
introduction need not lead to intimacy. Verity is a good little
creature, and her Bohemianism will not hurt Anna for one afternoon."
Mrs. Herrick's firm lips were pressed together rather closely as
Malcolm spoke, and her manner became still graver.
"Will you forgive my speaking plainly, Malcolm?" she said quietly,
"but I do think it such a grievous mistake for you to call Mrs.
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