"It came back to me--seeing you here. I had no idea this was your home."

"Well, I confess it isn't, much. Oh there are some drinks!"--he
approached the tray and its glasses.

"Indeed there are and quite delicious"--Mrs. Mavis largely wiped her
mouth.

"Won't you have another then?--a pink one, like your daughter's gown."

"With pleasure, sir. Oh do see them over," Mrs. Mavis continued,
accepting from the young man's hand a third tumbler.

"My mother and that gentleman? Surely they can take care of themselves,"
he freely pleaded.

"Then my daughter--she has a claim as an old friend."

But his mother had by this time interposed. "Jasper, what does your
telegram say?"

He paid her no heed: he stood there with his glass in his hand, looking
from Mrs. Mavis to Miss Grace.

"Ah leave her to me, madam; I'm quite competent," I said to Mrs. Mavis.

Then the young man gave me his attention. The next minute he asked of
the girl: "Do you mean you're going to Europe?"

"Yes, tomorrow. In the same ship as your mother."