The Charm School
educating Susie, too. That's what parents never can appreciate—the amount of influence young men have on the philosophy of young girls. That's part of my system, too."
"Indeed!" replied Mrs. Rolles, settling back in her chair. "And so you have a principle of education?"
"You bet I have," said Austin. "It's this—that because I'm young and a man I can put over ideas that they wouldn't listen to from any woman. And, as a matter of fact, I can. For instance, I'm like you, I'm opposed to my girls going to college. When I took the school seventy-five per cent. of the seniors were booked for college, and now only one girl even talks of going. You see, you can't take away one ideal without substituting another, and I substituted the ideal of their being charming, gracious, helpful women of the world. Well, that went very well with all but this one—she knows she's going to be charming, anyhow, and she thinks she might as well have a college education as well. What am I going to do with her, Mrs. Rolles?"
"Describe her to me."
Oh," said Austin, falling into the trap, "she's the prettiest little creature you ever saw—not so small, and yet you think of her
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