“What an idea, 'Thusia! That is preposterous. Of course, I do not think unkindly of her; but I do think she has chosen foolishly, as girls sometimes will.” “Yes, but I mean what I say, David. I am tied here, of course, but I have given her so much freedom. I have trusted to her instinct to choose suitable companions, when I should have remembered how careless and foolish I was when I was her age.” “What nonsense, dear!” said David. “If anyone is to blame it is myself. How could you do any more than you have done, kept close here as you are? How serious is it, 'Thusia?” “I have hardly had time to decide; I am afraid it is very serious. She was all ecstasy and happiness until she saw I was not as happy as she was. I am afraid I let her see it too plainly. We must not let her think we are angry with her, David; she is very much in love with him. Oh, she praised him as a girl will praise a lover--her first lover!” “I suppose she met him through Roger,” said David thoughtfully. “No,” 'Thusia said. “I imagine Alice rather scorns Roger's ball-playing friends. I think Lanny Welsh called something after her one evening when she was passing the _Eagle_ office--passing the alley there. He thought she was some other girl, I suppose. She was furious; she thought it was the rudest thing she had ever known, but the next time she passed he stopped her and apologized. She thinks it was noble of him. After that he tipped his hat whenever she passed, and she nodded to him. Then Roger introduced them. Lanny Welsh asked him to, I suppose. Now they are engaged.” David rested his head on his hand, and was silent. 'Thusia watched his face. “It is unfortunate; most unfortunate,” he said wearily. “David, do you know anything about him!” 'Thusia asked. “Only hearsay,” he answered. “Has he been a bartender!” “I have heard that. You know what his father is--little better than a blackmailer.” “David, what can we do?” asked 'Thusia. “I don't know,” he answered. “No doubt she would give him up if we asked it.” “I'm not so sure of that,” said 'Thusia. “She is a good girl, but you do not realize how she loves the boy--or thinks she loves him. She might think we were unjust to him.”