"You may well be amazed, Robert," was the answer. "I myself am nearly distracted," and then she told her story, with much skill and all the picturesque idioms she fell naturally into when under great emotion. Her son listened to her as he had listened to Ducie, without question or comment. He was trying to weigh everything justly, for justice was in his opinion the cardinal virtue. "The dispute arose, then, concerning Dr. Robertson's visit to Theodora?" he asked. "Yes. I had a right to know _why_ he called, and she would not tell me." "Theodora had no right to tell you. Out of kindness the reason for his visit had been kept from you. I will tell you now. He wished Theodora to sing at the New Year's service, and he called to see what her selection would be." "The organist ought to select the music, not Dora Campbell." "Allow me to finish. She chose '_I know that my Redeemer liveth_.'" He ceased speaking and took his place at the dinner table. "Order dinner, Isabel," he added, in a quiet voice. Mrs. Campbell was speechless. She was stunned by anger and amazement. Her lips trembled and her eyes filled with tears--a most extraordinary exhibition of feeling in her. Isabel with a piteous look directed his attention to her mother, and he said: "Take your chair, mother. I want my dinner. I have had a hard day. The men at the works are quarrelling and going to strike. I did not require extra quarrelling at home." "I cannot eat, Robert. I will not eat again in this house. I can laugh at insults from strangers, but when my son connives with his English wife to deceive me and make me humble myself before her, it is time I went away--I don't care where to." "You have your own house at Saltcoats." "It is rented." Robert made no remark and the dinner went silently on. Just as it was finished the doctor asked for Robert, and he left the room to see him. "Your wife has fallen asleep," he said, "and, Campbell, you must see to it that she is not awakened for anything less than a fire or an earthquake." A short conversation followed, and after it Robert went directly to the library. Greatly to his astonishment, his mother followed him there. He laid aside his cigar, and placed a chair for her. She had now assumed the only temper likely to influence him, and he was prepared to be amenable to her plea before she made it. "I am sorry, Robert, that you have to bear this trouble. If it was only me, I would not care. Are you going to turn me and your sisters out of your house for that strange woman?" "That strange woman is my wife. God has told me to leave father and mother, and cleave unto my wife." "It is very hard." "Let her alone, and she will not interfere with you." "Isabel and Christina know----" "Excuse me, she has been very kind and helpful to my sisters. She would love you all if you would let her." "Her singing in the church----"