ct that one of the
Pennycuicks was committed to marry a draper, expressed themselves at
first in a rather chilling silence. But subsequently, having reviewed
the situation from its several sides, and weighed the pros and cons,
she decided to assist her friend to make the best of it, as against all
potential enemies.

"Of course, they will be as mad as so many March hares," said Alice,
referring to the other Pennycuicks. "But after all, when you come to
think of it, what is there in a draper's shop any more than in a
soft-goods warehouse?--and that's quite aristocratic, if it's big
enough. Trade is trade, and why we should make chalk of one and cheese
of another passes me. Oh, you've only got to be rich nowadays to be
received anywhere. These Breens seem well off, and anyway, there are
the Simpsons--they are all right. Solid comfort, my dear, is not to be
despised, especially when a girl can't pick and choose, and may
possibly never get another chance. He is awfully presentable, too, and
most gentlemanly, I am sure. Oh, on the whole--if you ask me--I'd say,
stick to him."

Alice's voice was sad, and she sighed inwardly.

"I'm going to stick to him," said Rose.

"Well, you may count on me. I'll get them all asked here for a picnic,
and we'll go over to Bundaboo to invite them--tomorrow. Mrs Simpson
said he was only with her for a few days."

"You darling!"

"And if I were in your place, Rose, I'd marry him just as soon as he
wanted me to. I'd walk out and get it done quietly, and tell them
afterwards. It would save a lot of unpleasantness, and it wouldn't
force the hostile clans to try and make one family when they never
could."

"I don't see why they couldn't. Mrs Simpson is his mother's sister--"

"Oh, well, we shall see. I don't know about Deb and Mary, but France
can be all sorts of a cat when the fit takes her; and as she is certain
to oppose it to the bitter end, she will never have done irritating his
people and setting everybody at loggerheads. However, never mind that
now." She enveloped Rose in a comforting embrace. "We'll just enjoy
ourselves while we can. And until we MUST start the fuss with the girls
at home, we'll keep things dark, shall we? Just you and I and he. You
can tell him, when you see him tomorrow, that I am his friend."

"I will--I will! And he will adore you for your goodness."

Alice, with still no lover of her own, was pleased with this prospect.
And so Rose had a heavenly time fo