There
was a clump of potted tropical shrubbery at one side.
On the other side of this shrubbery sat Mrs. and Miss Atterly,
engaged in conversation.
"Why do you prefer to sit in this out-of-the-way place, Catharine?"
her mother inquired, just as the young people came up.
"I want to get away from two rather goodlooking but very ordinary
girls that Mr. Dalzell wants to present to me, mamma," she replied.
"If they are midshipmen's friends are they too ordinary to know?"
inquired Mrs. Atterly.
"Mamma, if I am going to interest Mr. Dalzell, I don't want other
girls stepping in at every other moment. I don't want to know
his girl friends."
"Are you attracted to Mr. Dalzell, Cathy?" asked her mother.
"Not especially, I assure you, mamma."
"Oh, then it is not a serious affair."
"It may be," laughed the girl lightly. "If I can learn to endure
Mr. Dalzell, then I may permit him to marry me when he is two
years older and has his commission."
"Even if you don't care much for him?" asked Mrs. Atterly, almost
shocked.
"If I marry," pouted Miss Atterly, "I don't want a husband that
leaves the house every morning, and returns every evening."
"Cathy!"
"Well, I don't! In some ways I suppose it's nice to be a married
woman. One has more freedom in going about alone. Now, a Naval
officer, mamma, would make the right sort of husband for me.
He'd be away, much of the time, on long cruises."
"But I understand, Cathy, that sometimes a Naval officer has a
year or two of shore duty.
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