"That’s just it, John," said she; "I want to keep her out for ever. I want them all to remain little children, and myself being mother to them. Since Mabel got her hair up--already it’s different. I feel in an underhand sort of way that I’m being run by my own daughter--I really do." "More like by your own son," said Mr. Leighton. "The way you give in to that boy is a disgrace." "Oh, Cuthbert’s different," said Mrs. Leighton brightly. "Poor Mabel," smiled Mr. Leighton. It was an old subject with them, thrashed out again and again, ever since Cuthbert as a rather spoiled child of seven had had his little nose put out of joint by the first arrival of girls in the imperious person of Mabel. Mrs. Leighton had always felt a little grieved with the absurdly rapid manner in which Mr. Leighton’s affections had gone over to Mabel. "In any case, try them with the party," said he. "The only thing that can happen is for the cook to give notice." "And I shall have to get another one, of course." Mrs. Leighton’s voice dwelt in a suspiciously marked manner on the pronoun. "Now there’s another opportunity for making use of Mabel," said her husband. Mrs. Leighton let her hands fall. "Engage my own servants! What next?" she asked. "Oh, I don’t know," said he. "Cuthbert does heaps of things for me. You women are the true conservatives. If we had you in power there would be no chance for the country." "Well, you might have persuaded Cuthbert to succeed you as Chairman of your Company, with a steady income and all that sort of thing," she exclaimed, "instead of rushing him into a profession which keeps him tied night and day, and gives him no return as yet for all his work." "I should never stand in the way of enthusiasm," said her husband. "Cuthbert has a real genius for his profession." "Then why not find a profession for Mabel?" "I have thought of that. It seems right, however, that a man ought to be equipped for one profession, and a girl for several. I can always leave my girls enough money to keep the wolf from the door at least. I have an objection to any girl being obliged to work entirely for her living. Men ought to relieve them of that at least. But we must give them occupation; work that develops. Come, come, my dear; you must let them have their head a little, even although they ruin the cakes. A good mother makes useless daughters, you know." "Well, it’s a wrench, John." "There, there," he smiled at her. "And the servants are sure to give notice." She regretted much of her pessimism, however, when she gave the news to the girls. Not for a long time had they been so animated. Each took her one department in the supper menu prepared under the guidance of Mrs. Leighton. First, chicken salad inserted into a tomato, cut into water-lily shape, reposing on lettuce leaves--one on each little plate, mayonnaise dressing on top. The mayonnaise captured Mabel.