I hardly think your father would
wish you to go."

"Why, how perfectly absurd!" exclaimed Edith, growing very angry. "There
has never been any question of my going to drive with any one who asked
me. Do you suppose I am going to give it up now?"

"I suppose you are, Edith," said Mrs. Franklin, quietly, but with
decision. "In your father's absence you are in my charge, and I do not
consider it desirable for you to drive with Mr. Bronson, nor with any
other young man whom you know so slightly. It is not in good taste, to
say the least. Please oblige me by giving it up this time. If I am
mistaken in your father's views on the subject you can go after he gets
home."

"I won't give it up!" exclaimed Edith, hotly. "Tony Bronson will be gone
when papa gets home, and, besides, what can I tell him? I've said I
would go."

"It is always possible to break an engagement of that kind," said her
mother; "you can tell him that you find I have made other plans for
you."

"I sha'n't tell him any such thing, Mrs. Franklin. I think it is too
bad. You have no right to order me."

"No right, Edith? I have at least a right to be spoken to with respect,
and you will oblige me by doing so. Please send a note to Mr. Bronson by
the man to-night."

She left the room, and Cynthia, who had restrained herself with great
difficulty, now gave vent to her feelings.

"I don't see how you can be so horrid to mamma, Edith. What are you
thinking of? And when she is so worried about Neal, too."

"Neal! Why should we suffer for Neal? She has no right to order me; I
won't be treated that way. The idea of it not being in good taste to
drive with Tony Bronson!"

"Don't be so absurd, Edith. Why, even I know papa wouldn't want you to.
It's very different from going with the Brenton boys that we have known
all our lives. You think I'm such an infant, but I know that much, and
any other time you would yourself. It is just because it is that hateful
Bronson. I can't understand what you and Gertrude see in him. You are
both so silly about him."

"I am not silly. I think he is very nice, that's all. I wish you
wouldn't interfere, Cynthia. You are silly to have such a prejudice
against him. I suppose I shall have to write that note, and I do hate to
give in to Mrs. Franklin. Oh, why, why, _why_ did papa marry again?"

She raised her voice irritably as she said this, and added: "All this
fuss about Neal and everything! We never should have had it if the