"Mother," said Helen, after a pause of some length during which her mother calmly went on with her sewing. "How old were you when you were married?" "Not quite twenty-two." "And how old was father?" "Twenty-six. Almost twenty-seven." "Were you very much in love with him?" Esther let her work fall from her hands into her lap, and looked out across the room over her daughter's head. The passing of the years had not dimmed the love light in Esther's eyes nor faded the glow of the love look on her face. "I can't tell you how much I was in love with him. He was the whole world to me." "More than your own father and mother?" "Yes, more." "More and different?" "Yes, more and different." There was another pause and Helen put her hand up to her mother's. The girl had not yet looked up. Her eyes were cast down and she seemed very thoughtful. "Mother, do you think I will ever feel that way? As you did?" Mrs. Douglas was startled by the question, in spite of the fact that from Helen's babyhood the utmost frankness had existed between them. She wanted a few moments before she spoke. Helen was "till looking down, but her hand tightened its hold on her mother's. "Yes, Helen, I would not wish you any greater happiness than to love as your mother did." "But men like father seem very scarce." Mrs. Douglas could not help laughing, and at that Helen looked up soberly. "You know they are, mother," said Helen almost indignantly. "Just look at that Randolph boy. And--and--Mr. Damon. I don't believe there are any young men like father was when he was young. Wasn't he very handsome?" "He certainly was, and he is now." "And didn't he talk sensibly? Didn't he know how to say things?" "He didn't say anything very wise or deep while he was courting me," laughed Esther. "I would not dare say how many foolish things he said. I don't remember all of them." "Mother, you know what I mean. The young men nowadays can't talk any. They don't know half so much as the young women. Why, I feel superior to all the young men I know." Mrs. Douglas looked amused. "And I could never marry an inferior man. I would just despise myself and him, too. But why should I get married at all, mother? Why can't I just be a physical training teacher all my life?" "I don't want you to marry an inferior man, You would just despise yourself and if you do not love in a natural way someone who is altogether worthy of you, you ought never to marry at all. What has made you think of it?" Helen did not look up, and after a long pause Esther said gently, "Hide nothing?"