in his career there are times when he must think first of himself."

Mrs. Peyton paused, trying to choose her words with deliberation. It was
quite clear now that Dick had not spoken, and she felt the responsibility
that devolved upon her.

"Getting on in a career--is that always the first thing to be considered?"
she asked, letting her eyes rest musingly on the girl's.

The glance did not disconcert Miss Verney, who returned it with one of
equal comprehensiveness. "Yes," she said quickly, and with a slight blush.
"With a temperament like Mr. Peyton's I believe it is. Some people can pick
themselves up after any number of bad falls: I am not sure that he could. I
think discouragement would weaken instead of strengthening him."

Both women had forgotten external conditions in the quick reach for each
other's meanings. Mrs. Peyton flushed, her maternal pride in revolt; but
the answer was checked on her lips by the sense of the girl's unexpected
insight. Here was some one who knew Dick as well as she did--should she say
a partisan or an accomplice? A dim jealousy stirred beneath Mrs. Peyton's
other emotions: she was undergoing the agony which the mother feels at the
first intrusion on her privilege of judging her child; and her voice had a
flutter of resentment.

"You must have a poor opinion of his character," she said.

Miss Verney did not remove her eyes, but her blush deepened beautifully. "I
have, at any rate," she Said, "a high one of his talent. I don't suppose
many men have an equal amount of moral and intellectual energy."