Mothers and Fathers (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 Excerpt: ...as she recognized the Judge. He was in business clothes and an unwonted air of the day's disorder hung about him. "Good evening, Maida. Am I too late to come in? " he asked apologetically. "I was kept downtown until now" Maida clutched her courage in both hands. "I am glad you came--I want to speak to you. Judge Reynolds, I don't think mother is very well. I think she ought to go away for a few weeks." He looked so dismayed that she could have embraced him. "Being engaged seems to be a great strain," she went on bravely. "I wish that--October were not so far away." His face lit up. "Why, my dear, your mother thought that you--Well, really, there is no fixed law about October. So far as that goes, next week would--" She grasped his arm. "Go and tell her that," she whispered. Then she ran down into the garden, leaving him to find the way in. A whistle from the gate brought again that curious stab of expectancy. She was absorbed in unscrewing the hose when Will came through the shrubbery. "Is my father here?" he asked. "I have been waiting all the evening to chaperon him." "Oh, he's here " said Maida dryly. "Misbehaving?" "Not exactly. But if ever I have anything to do with engaged people again " "But you will--you can't help yourself " It was not too dark for him to see a sudden tide of color in her face. He came and took the hose from her. "Let me help you, dearest," he said, his air entirely practical as he knelt down by the faucet. The little word echoed and reverberated about her. "Don't you call me that " she cried desperately. Will, at her feet, smiled to himself. Nature "Back to nature--that is what...