"I want to ask you where you have been all these weeks, John, but Harry
isn't here, and you won't want to tell your story twice over, will you,
now?"

"I would rather not, mother."

"Your father wouldn't have done it, whether he liked to or not. I don't
expect you are any different to father. I didn't look for you, John,
till next week."

"But you needed me and wanted me?"

"Whatever makes you say that?"

"I dreamed that you wanted me, and I came home to see."

"Was it last Sunday night?"

"Yes."

"About eleven o'clock?"

"I did not notice the time."

"Well, for sure, I was in trouble Sunday. All day long I was in trouble,
and I am in a lot of trouble yet. I wanted you badly, John, and I did
call you, but not aloud. It was just to myself. I wished you were here."

"Then yourself called to myself, and here I am. Whatever troubles you,
mother, troubles me."