The creature knew well enough what was said to him. He lay prone on the
rug, with his head on his forepaws, watching Mrs. Hatton; and she was a
little uncomfortable and glad when John entered the room. The cat ran to
meet him, but John went straight to his mother's side and said,

"Dear mother, I want your kiss and blessing tonight. God has given me
the desire of my heart, but I am not satisfied until you share my joy."

"That means that God has given you the love and promise of Jane
Harlow."

"Yes, that is what I mean. Sit down, mother; I must talk the matter over
with you, or I shall miss some of the sweetest part of it."

Then she lifted her face and looked at him, and it was easy to see that
Love and the man had met. Never before in all his life had she seen him
so beautiful--his broad, white forehead, his bright contemplative eyes,
his sweet, loving, thoughtful face breaking into kind smiles, his gentle
manner, and his scrupulously refined dress made a picture of manhood
that appealed to her first, as a mother, and secondly, as a woman. And
in her heart an instantaneous change took place. She put her hands on
his shoulders and lifted her face for his kiss.

"My good son!" she said. "Thy love is my love, and thy joy is my joy!
Sit thee down, John, and tell me all about it."

So they sat down together on the bright hearth, sat down so close that
John could feel the constant touch of his mother's hand--that white,
firm hand which had guided and comforted him all his life long.