Mrs. Masters had a long conversation with her husband on the
subject that same day, and condescended even to say a few words to
the two girls. She had her own theory and her own plan in the
present emergency. According to her theory girls shouldn't be
indulged in any vagaries, and this rejecting of a highly valuable
suitor was a most inexcusable vagary. And, if her plan were
followed, a considerable amount of wholesome coercion would at once
be exercised towards this refractory young woman. There was in fact
more than a fortnight wanting to the expiration of Larry's two
months, and Mrs. Masters was strongly of opinion that if Mary were
put into a sort of domestic "coventry" during this period, if she
were debarred from friendly intercourse with the family and made to
feel that such wickedness as hers, if continued, would make her an
outcast, then she would come round and accept Larry Twentyman
before the end of the time. But this plan could not be carried out
without her husband's co-operation. Were she to attempt it
single-handed, Mary would take refuge in her father's softness of
heart and there would simply be two parties in the household. "If
you would leave her to me and not speak to her, it would be all
right," Mrs. Masters said to her husband.
"Not speak to her!"
"Not cosset her and spoil her for the next week or two.
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