“I’ve thought it all out,” said Edna, whose mind was equal to whatever task she gave it. “You must get some one to offer him a price he simply can’t refuse, and make a condition that he shall not go into business again. Aren’t those things done?” I was somewhat surprised, but not much, at the knowledge of business this displayed. “Why!--Why!” laughed I. “And you pretend to know nothing about business!” She was in a sensible, loving mood that day. So she said with a quiet little laugh: “I make it a point to know anything that’s useful to me. I don’t know much about business. Why should I bother with it? I’ve got confidence in you.” It was not the first time I had got a peep into her mind and had seen how she looked on everyone, including me, as a wheel in her machine, and never interfered unless the wheel didn’t work to suit her. I laughed delightedly. There was something charmingly feminine, thought I, about this point of view so upside down. “Yes, I guess your father’ll jump for the bait you suggest,” said I. “But why disturb him? He loves his undertaking.” She shivered. “And he’ll be miserable idling about.” “Oh, I guess he’ll get along all right,” said she, with sarcasm and with truth. “He’ll devote himself to suing his tenants and counting his money.... Godfrey, you simply must get those people in Passaic out of our way. I’ve been a little nervous over here, though I knew that none of these dreadful people we associate with has anything better in the way of family than us, and some have a lot worse. Oh, it’s _frightful_ to have parents one’s ashamed of!” I think I blushed. I’m sure I looked away to avoid seeing her expression. “It’s frightful to be ashamed of one’s parents,” said I. “Now don’t be hypocritical,” cried she. “You know perfectly well you are ashamed of your parents, as I am of mine.” “I’ll admit,” said I, “that if they showed up at the office, I’d be a bit upset and would feel apologetic. But I’m ashamed of myself for feeling that way.” “If you only realized about things,” said she, which was her phrase for hitting at me as lacking in refined instincts, “you’d not be ashamed of yourself, but would frankly suffer. They are a disgrace to us.” “They’re honest people, well meaning, and as good as the best in every essential way,” said I. “Believe me, Edna, the fault isn’t in them. It’s in us. Suppose you found some day that Margot was ashamed of you and me.” “But she’ll not be,” retorted Edna. “I for one will see to it that she has no cause to be anything but proud.”