Rosemary had been thinking rapidly . Gossiping surmise , she saw , had put this mistaken idea into Una 's mind . She must be perfectly frank and sincere with the child . `` Una , dear , '' she said softly . `` It is n't because of you poor little souls that I can not be your father 's wife . I never thought of such a thing . You are not bad -- I never supposed you were . There -- there was another reason altogether , Una . '' `` Do n't you like father ? '' asked Una , lifting reproachful eyes . `` Oh , Miss West , you do n't know how nice he is . I 'm sure he 'd make you a GOOD husband . '' Even in the midst of her perplexity and distress Rosemary could n't help a twisted , little smile . `` Oh , do n't laugh , Miss West , '' Una cried passionately . `` Father feels DREADFUL about it . '' `` I think you 're mistaken , dear , '' said Rosemary . `` I 'm not . I 'm SURE I 'm not . Oh , Miss West , father was going to whip Carl yesterday -- Carl had been naughty -- and father could n't do it because you see he had no PRACTICE in whipping . So when Carl came out and told us father felt so bad , I slipped into the study to see if I could help him -- he LIKES me to comfort him , Miss West -- and he did n't hear me come in and I heard what he was saying .
I 'll tell you , Miss West , if you 'll let me whisper it XXXXX your ear . ''
Una West about because in into like of to with