“But doing things secretly ... I don’t believe anything is worth having unless you can have it honestly--even a friendship. You know how mother feels. And--and I can’t quarrel with her. I think a little injustice is better than quarrelling.” Her voice held a note of sadness, of discouragement. Mr. Addis suddenly stood more erect. “Miss Flora, you’re right,” he said. “I mustn’t try to hide anything. I won’t.” “Bonnie May,” said Flora, “will you please go and ask mother to come down?” “That’s it,” agreed Mr. Addis. “The thing for me to do is to have a little talk with her.” And then they waited, without looking at each other, until Mrs. Baron descended the stairs and entered the room. The poor old lady’s manner hardened the instant she appeared. “Good evening, Mr. Addis,” she said in a tone of frank resentment. “I don’t believe we were expecting you.” “No, I wasn’t expected,” replied Mr. Addis. “I hope you’ll excuse me for taking you by surprise.” Flora was holding to a chair as if for support. She did not sit down. “There’s no harm done,” said Mrs. Baron. “I dare say there won’t be.” She seated herself with great firmness of purpose and looked from Mr. Addis to Flora, and then back to Mr. Addis without winking. This aloof form of bullying had a happy effect upon Mr. Addis. He became ominously calm. “No, no harm at all,” he said. “On the contrary. I think a little plain talk may be the best thing for all of us. Maybe I haven’t come to the point as I should have done, up to now. I think I’ve been a little timid, you know. But here’s the fact. I think Miss Flora here is the finest girl I’ve ever met. I’ve got great respect for you, too, Mrs. Baron. And for your family. But--the plain truth is, I want Miss Flora. I don’t say she’s mine for the asking. But I want the right and the chance to consult her about it. If she tells me she’s quite sure I won’t do, that’ll settle it. But you seem to have made up your mind beforehand that Flora shall not have a mind of her own. One of the reasons why I think so highly of her is that she is a good daughter. That isn’t such a common thing nowadays, Mrs. Baron. She’s nice and high-minded. She wouldn’t stoop to any tricks. She’s a young lady who tells the truth. And that, if you will excuse me, is something I like to do myself. What I want to point out is that I don’t believe you’ve thought what it means for you to take advantage of her obedience and respect. You don’t want her to pay a penalty for being a good girl. Give her a chance. Give me a chance. I don’t mind your proving to her that I wouldn’t make her a good husband--if you can. But you can trust to her sense and to her honor. Be frank with her. Don’t treat her as if she were a child. You know, ma’am, it’s her affair more than it is yours, after all. Give her and me a chance to talk it over.”