One foot tucked under her, she sat in a veranda swing, now and then touching her toe to the floor to keep swaying. She wore a sand-colored sport suit whose matching hat lay beside her on the floor.
Her vivid, laughing face, with its big gray eyes and pink cheeks, its scarlet lips and white teeth was framed by a mop of dark brown wavy hair, now tossed by the strong breeze from the sea.
The veranda overlooked the ocean, and the sunlit waves, stretching far away from the great cliff were dotted in the foreground with small craft.
Frederick Varian sat on the veranda rail, a big, rather splendid-looking man, with the early gray of fifty years showing in his hair and carefully trimmed Vandyke beard.
His air was naturally confident and self-assured, but in the face of this chit of a girl he somehow found himself at a disadvantage.
Betty, dear, he took another tack, cant you understand the fatherly love that cannot bear the idea of parting with a beloved daughter?
Oh, yes, but a fathers love ought to think what is for that daughters happiness. Then he ought to make the gigantic self-sacrifice that may be necessary.
A dimple came into Bettys cheek, and she smiled roguishly, yet with a canny eye toward the effect she was making.
But Varian looked moodily out over the sea.
I wont have it, he said, sternly. I suppose I have some authority in this matter and I forbid you to encourage any young man to the point of a proposal, or even to think of becoming engaged.
I wont have it, he said, sternly. I suppose I have some authority in this matter and I forbid you to encourage any young man to the point of a proposal, or even to think of becoming engaged.
How can I ward off a proposal, Dad? Betty inquired, with an innocent air.
Dont be foolish. Of course you can do that. Any girl with your intelligence knows just when an acquaintance crosses the line of mere friendship
Oh, Daddy, you are too funny! And when you crossed the line of mere friendship with mother, what did she do?
That has nothing to do with the subject. Now, mind, Betty, I am not jesting, I am not talking idly
You sound very much like it!
Im not. Im very much in earnest. You are not to encourage the definite attentions of any
All right, let Rod Granniss come up here then, and I promise not to encourage him.
He shall not come up here, because he has already gone too far, and you have encouraged him too much
But I love him, Daddy, and and I think you might
Hush! Thats enough! Dont let me hear another word now or ever regarding Granniss! He is crossed off our acquaintance, and if he persists in staying here, we will go away!
Why, Father, weve only just come!
I know it, and I came here, thinking to get you away from that man. He followed us up here,
He was here before we came!
But he didnt come until he knew we were coming.
All right, he came because he wanted to be where I am. And I want to be where he is. And youd better be careful, Father, or I may take the bit in my teeth and
And run off with him? Thats why I came here. You cant get away. You perfectly well know that theres no way down from this house but by that one narrow path, I suppose youve no intention of jumping into the sea?
Love will find a way! Betty sang, saucily.
It isnt love, Betty. Its a miserable childish infatuation that will pass at once, if you lose sight of the chap for a short time.
Nothing of the sort! Its the love of my life!
Varian laughed. Thats a fine-sounding phrase, but it doesnt mean anything. Now, child, be reasonable. Give up Granniss. Be friends with all the young people up here, boys and girls both, but dont let me hear any foolishness about being engaged to anybody.
Do you mean for me never to marry, Father?
Id rather you didnt, my dear. Cant you be content to spend your days with your devoted parents? Think what weve done for you? What weve given you,
Dad, you make me tired! What have you given me, what have you done for me, more than any parents do for a child? Youve given me a home, food and clothing, and loving care! What else? And what do I owe you for that, except my own love and gratitude? But I dont owe you the sacrifice of the natural, normal, expectation of a home and husband of my own! Im twenty, thats quite old enough to think of such things. Pray remember how old mother was when she married you. She was nineteen. Suppose her father had talked to her as youre talking to me! What would you have said to him, Id like to know!
By this time Fred Varian was walking with quick short strides up and down the veranda. Betty rose and faced him, standing directly in his path.
Father, she said, speaking seriously, you are all wrong! You dont know what youre talking about
That will do, Betty! When Varians temper was roused he could speak very harshly, and did so now. Hush! I will not hear such words from you! How dare you tell me I dont know what Im talking about! Now you make up your mind to obey me, or Ill cut off all your association with the young people! Ill shut you up
Hush, yourself, Dad! Youre talking rubbish, and you know it! Shut me up! In a turret of the castle, I suppose! On bread and water, I suppose! What kind of nonsense is that?
Youll see whether its nonsense or not! What do you suppose I took this isolated place for, except to keep you here if you grow too independent! Do you know there is no way you can escape if I choose to make you a prisoner? And if thats the only way to break your spirit, Ill do it!
Why, Father Varian! Betty looked a little scared, whatever has come over you?
Ive made up my mind, thats all. For twenty years Ive humored you and indulged you and acceded to your every wish. Youve been petted and spoiled until you think you are the only dictator in this family! Now a time has come when I have put my foot down
Well, pick it up again, Daddy, and all will be forgiven.
Betty smiled and attempted to kiss the belligerent face looking down at her.
But Frederick Varian repulsed the offered caress and said, sternly:
I want no affection from a wilful, disobedient child! Give me your word, Betty, to respect my wishes, and Ill always be glad of your loving ways.
But Betty was angry now.
Ill give you no such promise! I shall conduct myself as I please with my friends and my acquaintances. You know me well enough to know that I never do anything that is in bad form or in bad taste. If I choose to flirt with the young men, or even, as you call it, encourage them, I propose to do so! And I resent your interference, and I deny your right to forbid me in such matters. And, too, Ill go so far as to warn you that if you persist in this queer attitude youve taken, youll be sorry! Remember that!
Bettys eyes flashed, but she was quiet rather than excited.
Varian himself was nervous and agitated. His fingers clenched and his lips trembled with the intensity of his feelings and as Betty voiced her rebellious thoughts he stared at her in amazement.
What are you two quarreling about? came the surprised accents of Mrs Varian as she came out through the French window from the library and looked curiously at them.
Oh, Mother, Betty cried, Dads gone nutty! He says I never can marry anybody.
What nonsense, Fred; she did not take it at all seriously. Of course, Betty will marry some day, but not yet. Dont bother about it at present.
But Daddys bothering very much about it at present. At least, hes bothering me, dont let little Betty be bothered, Mummy, will you?
Let her alone, Fred. Why do you tease the child? I declare you two are always at odds over something!
No, Minna, thats not so. I always indulge Betty
Oh, yes, after Ive coaxed you to do so. Youre an unnatural father, Fred, you seem possessed to frown on all Bettys innocent pleasures.
I dont want her getting married and going off and leaving us he growled, still looking angry.
Well, the baby isnt even engaged yet, dont begin to worry. And, too, that is in the mothers province.
Not entirely. I rather guess a father has some authority!
Oh, yes, if its exercised with loving care and discretion. Dont you bother, Betty, anyway. Father and mother will settle this little argument by ourselves.
Id rather settle it with Dad, Betty declared spiritedly. Its too ridiculous for him to take the stand that I shall never marry! Im willing to promise not to become engaged without asking you both first; Im willing to say I wont marry a man you can convince me is unworthy; Im willing to promise anything in reason, but a blind promise never to marry is too much to ask of any girl!
Of course, it is! agreed Mrs Varian. Why do you talk to her like that, Fred?
Because I propose to have my own way for once! Ive given in to you two in every particular for twenty years or more. Now, I assert myself. I say Betty shall not marry, and I shall see to it that she does not!
Oh, my heavens! and Mrs Varian wrung her hands, with a wail of nervous pettishness, sometimes, Fred, I think youre crazy! At any rate, youll set me crazy, if you talk like that! Do stop this quarrel anyhow. Kiss and make up, wont you? To think of you two, the only human beings on earth that I care a rap for, acting like this! My husband and my child! The only things I live for! The apple of my eye, the core of my soul, both of you, cant you see how you distress me when you are at odds! And youre always at odds! Always squabbling over some little thing. But, heretofore, youve always laughed and agreed, finally. Now forget this foolishness, do!
It isnt foolishness, and Varian set his lips together, doggedly.
No, it isnt foolishness, said Betty quietly, but with a look of indomitable determination.
Well, stop it, at any rate, begged Mrs Varian, if you dont I shall go into hysterics, and its time now for the Herberts to come.
Now both Fred and Betty knew that a suggestion of hysterics was no idle threat, for Minna Varian could achieve the most annoying demonstrations of that sort at a moments notice. And it was quite true that the expected guests were imminent.
But no truce was put into words, for just then a party of three people came in sight and neared the veranda steps.
The three were Frederick Varians brother Herbert and his wife and daughter. This family was called the Herberts to distinguish them from the Frederick Varian household.