Wise children always choose a mother who was a shocking flirt in her maiden days, and so had several offers before she accepted their fortunate papa.

J. M. Barrie (1860-1937) Scottish novelist and dramatist [James Matthew Barrie]

The Little White Bird, ch. 19 “Joey,” Scribner’s Magazine, Vol. 32 (1902-11)
    (Source)

This portion of the serial is in ch. 22 of the fully collected novel (1902).