第22章

"Two very nice things," Mrs. Dowling informed him. "Everybody is so anxious for Henrietta Lamb to have a pleasant evening, because it's the very first time she's been anywhere since her father's death, and of course her dear grandfather's an old friend of ours, and----""Well, well!" her son interrupted. "Miss Adams isn't interested in all this, mother.""But Henrietta came to speak to Ella and me, and I told her you were so anxious to dance with her----""Here!" he cried. "Look here! I'd rather do my own----""Yes; that's just it," Mrs. Dowling explained. "I just thought it was such a good opportunity; and Henrietta said she had most of her dances taken, but she'd give you one if you asked her before they were all gone. So I thought you'd better see her as soon as possible."Dowling's face had become rosy. "I refuse to do anything of the kind.""Bad fellow!" said his mother, gaily. "I thought this would be the best time for you to see Henrietta, because it won't be long till all her dances are gone, and you've promised on your WORD to dance the next with Ella, and you mightn't have a chance to do it then. I'm sure Miss Adams won't mind if you----""Not at all," Alice said.

"Well, _I_ mind!" he said. "I wish you COULD understand that when I want to dance with any girl I don't need my mother to ask her for me. I really AM more than six years old!"He spoke with too much vehemence, and Mrs. Dowling at once saw how to have her way. As with husbands and wives, so with many fathers and daughters, and so with some sons and mothers: the man will himself be cross in public and think nothing of it, nor will he greatly mind a little crossness on the part of the woman; but let her show agitation before any spectator, he is instantly reduced to a coward's slavery. Women understand that ancient weakness, of course; for it is one of their most important means of defense, but can be used ignobly.

Mrs. Dowling permitted a tremulousness to become audible in her voice. "It isn't very--very pleasant --to be talked to like that by your own son--before strangers!""Oh, my! Look here!" the stricken Dowling protested. "_I_didn't say anything, mother. I was just joking about how you never get over thinking I'm a little boy. I only----"Mrs. Dowling continued: "I just thought I was doing you a little favour. I didn't think it would make you so angry.""Mother, for goodness' sake! Miss Adams'll think----""I suppose," Mrs. Dowling interrupted, piteously, "I suppose it doesn't matter what _I_ think!""Oh, gracious!"

Alice interfered; she perceived that the ruthless Mrs. Dowling meant to have her way. "I think you'd better go, Frank.

Really."

"There!" his mother cried. "Miss Adams says so, herself! What more do you want?""Oh, gracious!" he lamented again, and, with a sick look over his shoulder at Alice, permitted his mother to take his arm and propel him away. Mrs. Dowling's spirits had strikingly recovered even before the pair passed from the corridor: she moved almost bouncingly beside her embittered son, and her eyes and all the convolutions of her abundant face were blithe.