"I don't know and I don't care," he said, coming to his feet. "Mother, this is all foolishness--rank foolishness. Here you and I sit quarreling over things that are none of our business. I never thought it of you. I never thought you could think such things, let alone breathe a word about them. I never----" "John, John," said Mrs. Gallant, pleadingly, "don't, don't!" "I can't believe it's you," he said, angrily. "Some one has been putting these infernal thoughts into your head--some gossiping, scandal-loving, evil-thinking----" "My boy!" He stopped and the anger that had surged so swiftly slowly left him--left him ashamed that he had given way to his temper, ashamed that he had spoken so sharply to the one he loved more than any one in the world, and who, he knew, loved him as no one else would ever love him. Her head was bowed in her hand, her arm resting on the side of her chair. He went to her and dropped on his knees at her feet. "Mother, dearest," he said, softly, "please, please don't cry. I was a brute. I shouldn't have spoken to you the way I did, but I was angry. Please, no misunderstanding must come between us. You are everything in the world to me, mother, and I trust you, believe in you." "I only wanted to know--for your sake," she said. "I know, mother, I know. That is what you have always done--thought of me first. But, don't you see, mother, she is nothing more than a friend to me. And she has been kind, so very kind and good, and I know she is only the sweet, dear girl I believe her to be. If you had only been with us when we went to her home, mother. If you only knew her as I know her, and you're going to. You're going to know her and like her." "Yes, yes, my boy. I know I will. But, John, there is so much evil in this world, so much that we cannot understand, so many disappointments, so many cruel things, so much wickedness, and I only think of you, my boy--only of you. I could not bear to have you care for some one and then be----" "I know, mother, dearest, I know," he said, petting her hands. "Now, we'll forget all about it, won't we? You'll not let doubt come into your mind again, will you? Don't be overcautious in your care over me, mother. And don't think I'm in love. I do think she is sweet and kind and beautiful, and I thought you would like her because she is--is--is what I would call an 'old-fashioned' girl." "Old-fashioned girls are scarce these days," said Mrs. Gallant. "I do so hope she is all that you believe her to be." "And I am forgiven for the things I said in haste, tonight?" he asked. She kissed his forehead. "And you'll forgive your foolish old mother who loves her boy so?" She rose and moved toward the door. "You'll be coming in soon?" she asked. "In a little while, mother," he said. "It's such a wonderful evening I'm going to enjoy it for a few minutes more."