Minturn;
but that little was significant to the experienced matron. Words
had slipped out now and then which suggested that the girl did
more thinking than talking concerning him; and she always referred
to him in some light which she chose to regard as ridiculous, but
which had not seemed in the least absurd to the attentive
listener. When her husband, therefore, said that Mr. Minturn had
appeared on the scene, she felt that an era of portentous events
had begun. The trees to be set out would change the old place
greatly, but a primeval forest shading the door would be as
nothing compared with the vicissitude which a favored "beau" might
produce. But mothers are more unselfish than fathers, and are
their daughters' natural allies unless the suitor is
objectionable. Mrs. Banning was inclined to be hospitable on
general principles, meantime eager on her own account to see
something of this man, about whom she had presentiments. So she
said affably, "My daughter can keep her eye on the work which she
is so interested in, and yet give you most of her time.
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