"Your father isn't the only man
married to a woman not as clever as himself. He isn't going to let that
stop him. And your mother's going to learn to be the wife of a great man
and do the best she can. And if they don't like her they've got to put
up with her. I shall talk to the both of them." A wave of motherliness
towards the entire Phillips family passed over her. It included Hilda.
She caught the child to her and gave her a hug. "You go back to school,"
she said, "and get on as fast as you can, so that you'll be able to be
useful to him."
The child flung her arms about her. "You're so beautiful and wonderful,"
she said. "You can do anything. I'm so glad you came."
Joan laughed. It was surprising how easily the problem had been solved.
She would take Mrs. Phillips in hand at once. At all events she should
be wholesome and unobtrusive. It would be a delicate mission, but Joan
felt sure of her own tact. She could see his boyish eyes turned upon her
with wonder and gratitude.
"I was so afraid you would not be back before I went," said the child.
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