all about me--you've known me so long!"

"I haven't had time to talk to your son--since I knew he was your son," I
explained.

Her brow cleared. "Then you haven't had time to say anything very
dreadful?" she said with a laugh.

"It is he who has been saying dreadful things," I returned, trying to fall
in with her tone.

I saw my mistake. "What things?" she faltered.

"Making me feel how old I am by telling me about his children."

"My grandchildren!" she exclaimed with a blush.

"Well, if you choose to put it so."

She laughed again, vaguely, and was silent. I hesitated a moment and then
put out my hand.

"I see you are tired. I shouldn't have ventured to come in at this hour if
your son--"

The son stepped between us. "Yes, I asked him to come," he said to his
mother, in his clear self-assertive voice. "_I_ haven't told him anything
yet; but you've got to--now. That's what I brought him for."

His mother straightened herself, but I saw her eye waver.