professional work," he said, "to advise in difficult matters. You
come among us a stranger--and unprejudiced. Will you--er--give me the
benefit of your opinion?"

"To the best of my ability," said John. He paused, and added gently,
"I am sorry for this fresh trouble that has come upon you."

"That is the subject on which I mean to consult you. Do you consider
that--that her husband or her child should stand first in a woman's
eyes?"

"Her husband, undoubtedly," said John, readily, "but--"

"But what?" said Sir Timothy, impatiently. A gleam of satisfaction had
broken over his heavy face at his cousin's reply.

"I speak from a man's point of view," said John. "Woman--and possibly
Nature--may speak differently."

"Your judgment, however, coincides with mine, which is all that
matters," said Sir Timothy. He did not perceive the twinkle in John's
eyes at this reply. "In my opinion there are only two ways of looking
at every question--the right way and the wrong way."

"My profession teaches me," said John, "that there are as many
different points of view as there are parties to a case."

"Then--from _my_ point of view," said Sir Timothy, with an air of
waving all other points of view away as irrelevant, "since my wife,
very naturally, desires to see her son again before he sails, am I