“Oh with your arm and that sort of thing, yes. But I may have to look to you for something more. I feel as if something were going to happen.” “That’s exactly what I said to Jasper this morning.” “And what did he say?” “He only looked innocent—as if he thought I meant a fog or a storm.” “Heaven forbid—it isn’t that! I shall never be good-natured again,” Mrs. Nettlepoint went on; “never have a girl put on me that way. You always pay for it—there are always tiresome complications. What I’m afraid of is after we get there. She’ll throw up her engagement; there will be dreadful scenes; I shall be mixed up with them and have to look after her and keep her with me. I shall have to stay there with her till she can be sent back, or even take her up to London. Do you see all that?” I listened respectfully; after which I observed: “You’re afraid of your son.” She also had a pause. “It depends on how you mean it.” “There are things you might say to him—and with your manner; because you have one, you know, when you choose.” “Very likely, but what’s my manner to his? Besides, I _have_ said everything to him. That is I’ve said the great thing—that he’s making her immensely talked about.” “And of course in answer to that he has asked you how you know, and you’ve told him you have it from me.” “I’ve had to tell him; and he says it’s none of your business.” “I wish he’d say that,” I remarked, “to my face.” “He’ll do so perfectly if you give him a chance. That’s where you can help me. Quarrel with him—he’s rather good at a quarrel; and that will divert him and draw him off.” “Then I’m ready,” I returned, “to discuss the matter with him for the rest of the voyage.” “Very well; I count on you. But he’ll ask you, as he asks me, what the deuce you want him to do.” “To go to bed!”—and I’m afraid I laughed. “Oh it isn’t a joke.” I didn’t want to be irritating, but I made my point. “That’s exactly what I told you at first.” “Yes, but don’t exult; I hate people who exult. Jasper asks of me,” she went on, “why he should mind her being talked about if she doesn’t mind it herself.” “I’ll tell him why,” I replied; and Mrs. Nettlepoint said she should be exceedingly obliged to me and repeated that she would indeed take the field.