"Well I mean of course you can see Him the same as other people do: but you'll be in the crowd, and He---- I can't understand you at all this morning. Let's look at Sant's letter---- How vilely the man writes! Like a---- You don't mean to say you'll join these people? M-ym-ym. Yes, I see the game.--Yes.--But d'you think you really could?--Well: if you like the idea still, it's worth trying anyhow.--Silly little mother! Why I believe you're in love with Rose even now. Ah, you're blushing. Mother, you look a dear like that!" "Amelia, don't be stupid. Mind your own business." "Oh I'm not going to interfere. You needn't be jealous of me. I'm sure I never saw anything particular in Him myself." They spoke as though they were alone. Alaric went quite unnoted. He folded his napkin and rose from the table. "A--and, mother," he mooed, slowly, with a slight hesitation, in a virginal baritone voice, resonant and low; "if you go to Rome, don't be nasty to Mr. Rose?" Both the women whirled round toward him. They hardly could have been astounded if the kidneys had commented on their complexions. "Alaric! how dare you sir!" "A-and I only say if you go to Rome I hope you won't be nasty to Mr. Rose." "Did you ever hear such nonsense, Amelia? Why not, I should like to know?" "A-and he taught me to swim." "So he did me. At least he tried to. And what of that?" snapped the girl. "A-and I don't think it's fair. I liked him. A-and father liked him." "Yes indeed, he's just the sort of man your father would have liked, unfortunately. He liked that sonnet-man, too. A pretty kind of person! All I can say is, Alaric, if I were to let you see the letters I've got of his and the albums full----: but there, you don't know as much as I do about your father!" The boy bellowed. "A-and don't you dare say anything against father! I won't stand it. Amelia knows I won't stand it from her; and I won't from anyone, not even from you, mother. I won't, I tell you! I'll go right away if I have another word. Mother, I'm sorry: but you oughtn't. A-and I don't want you to be nasty to Mr. Rose, because I liked him, a-and father liked him," concluded Alaric departing. Mother and daughter looked at each other. "Who'd have expected Alaric to burst out like that? I'm sure it's very hard, after all I've gone through, to have my own children turning against me." "I am not turning against you, mother. I think--well of course I can't see why you care for Rose: but if you do you'd be a fool to miss a chance like this. What does Mr. Sant mean about having him in his power?"