Edgar and Cecil North also disappeared. "They have gone into the country on business, and I'll tell you what it is, Kitty," said Mrs. Atheling, with a little happy importance. "A friend of Earl Grey has a close borough, and Edgar is to have it. I am sure I don't know what will happen, if he should clash with father in the House. Father cannot bear contradicting." "Nothing wrong will happen, Mother." "To be sure, the floor of the House of Commons is a bit different from his own hearthstone. When Edgar is a Parliament man, father will give him his place." "And Edgar will never forget to give father his place, I am sure of that." "I wouldn't stand a minute with him if he did. What a father and son say to each other in their homestead, is home talk; but Edgar must not threep his father before strangers. No, indeed!" "I wouldn't wonder if father comes round a little to Edgar's views. He listened very patiently to Cecil North, the last time they talked on politics." "He _has_ to listen in Parliament, and so he is getting used to listening. He never listened patiently at home--not even to me. But we can hope for the best anyhow, Kitty." "To be sure, Mother. Hoping for the best is far better than looking for the worst." "I should think it was. Do you believe Piers will be in London at Christmas?" "I fear not. Mother, he is going to send us each a ring at Christmas; then we will forget the other ring--shall we not?" "I don't know, Kitty. I think a deal of that other ring. No new one can make up for it. Why, my dear, your father gave it to me the night I promised to marry him. We were standing under the big white hawthorn at Belward. I'll never forget that hour." "It is so long ago, Mother--you cannot care very much now about it." "Now, Kitty, if you think only young people can be in love, get that idea out of your mind at once. You don't know anything about love yet. After twenty-five years bearing, and forbearing, and childbearing, you will smile at your gentle-shepherding of to-day. Your love is only a fancy now, it will be a fact then that has its foundations in your very life. You do not love Piers Exham, child, as I love your father. You can't. It isn't to be expected. And it is a good thing, love is so ordered; for if it did not grow stronger, instead of weaker, marrying would be a poor way of living." "That weary ring! I am so sorry that I ever put it on." "I did not ask you to put it on, Kitty. I did not want you to put it on." "Mother, please don't be cross." "Kitty, don't be unjust; it is not like you." Then Kitty laid her cheek against her mother's cheek, and said sadly, "I fear, somehow, that ring will make trouble between Piers and me." "Nonsense, dearie! The ring is lost and gone. It can't make trouble now." "Its loss was a bad omen, Mother." "There is no omen against true love, Kitty. Love counts every sign a good sign."