"Father was very polite to you at breakfast and dinner,and he went to church with you this morning,and I can scarcely remember when he has done this before.I am chiefly to blame for keeping him away so long this afternoon,for I wanted him to see and talk with my friend Mr.Eltinge,who has done me so much good.I thought he might help father too,and I truly believe he has.I repeat to you again,in all sincerity and love,that we have not intended to neglect you,and father now wishes you to come down and join him in the parlor,so that we can,as a family,at last appear as we ought before the world.In the name of all that is sacred,encourage dear father now that he is trying to be what we have so often wished."But Mrs.Mayhew's pets were like spells of bad weather and would run their course.She only looked more gloomy and injured than ever as she replied:
"It's all very well to talk.Mr.Mayhew must be encouraged and coaxed to do what any man ought to do.I might have enjoyed a ride this evening as well as your father.""You said it was too warm to go out after dinner.""Well,you might have waited till it wasn't too warm."A sudden scarlet burned in Ida's cheeks,and there came an ominous sparkle in her eyes."Mother,"she said so abruptly and sternly that the lady looked up wonderingly,and encountered an expression in her daughter's face that awakened an undefined fear.In tones that were low,indignant,and authoritative Ida continued:
"I request--I demand that you cease this nonsense at once.As a Christian woman you ought to be on your knees thanking God that your husband is not lying intoxicated on that sofa,as he was last Sunday at this time.You ought to be thanking God that he is becoming his former self,and winning respect by acting like a true gentleman.It was our unutterable folly that was destroying him,and I say this folly must and shall cease.I will not permit my father's sensitive nature to be wounded as it has been.You shall not spoil this first bright day he has had after so many years.
If you care for him why don't you try to win his affection?and whoever heard of a heart being won by whining and fault-finding?
But of this be sure,you shall not spoil this day.I charge you as a wife and a lady to cease this childish petulance,and come down at once.""Oh!"said Mrs.Mayhew,rising mechanically,"if you are going to make a scene---""I am going to prevent scenes,"said Ida,with all her old time imperiousness."I insist that we appear in the future like a quiet,well-bred family,and I warn you that I will permit my father to be trifled with no longer.He SHALL have a chance.Wait,let me help you make a more becoming toilet for Sunday evening."Ida was very strongly aroused,and the superior nature mastered the weaker.Mrs.Mayhew became as wax in her hands,although she made many natural and irritable protests against her daughter speaking to her as she had done.Ida paid no heed to her mother's words,and after giving a few finishing touches to her dress relieved her sternness by a judicious compliment,"I wish you to take the seat father is reserving for you,"she said,"and appear the charming lady that you know how to be so well;"and without further parley they went down together.
