'Yes--what is it, sweetheart?'

'When we are married, I must love your mother, must I not?'

'Oh yes--no doubt,' answered the young man with a puzzled expression.
'At least, I suppose you must try.'

'But I mean, if I do not love her as much as my own mother, will it be
very wrong?'

'No, not so much, of course.'

'Do you love her, Greif?'

'Oh yes,' replied Greif cheerfully. 'Not as I love you--'

'Or your father?'

'That is different, a man feels more sympathy for his father, because
he is a man.'

'But I am not a man--'

'No, and you are not my mother either. That is again different, you
see.'

'Greif--you do not love your mother at all!' exclaimed Hilda, turning
her bright eyes to his. But he looked away and his face grew grave.

'Please do not say that to me, dear,' he answered quietly. 'Let us talk