Mrs. Cutter had intended to discuss the situation--in a kind way of course, but frankly. She wanted to give some advice, let Helen know how important it was for her to exert every effort to fit herself for the position she would have in the Cutter family. But she did nothing of the kind. She said a few pleasant things, kissed the girl cordially on both cheeks and hoped George would make her happy, to which Helen replied that he had already made her happy. Then she took her leave. Helen accompanied her to the door, Mrs. Adams remained in the parlor. She had seen Mrs. Cutter’s transit across the street when she came to make this call. She had read truly the mood of George’s mother. And she had attended to her. She had let her know a thing or two. Now she stood behind the parlor curtains watching her again cross the street. This time it was less in the nature of a transit, she perceived, nodding her head grimly. Mrs. Cutter’s neck was limber, her proud look had disappeared. Her hat, although she had not touched it, was tilted absurdly to one side, as if an invisible blow had struck it. And she was walking hurriedly, like a person in retreat. Mrs. Cutter barely made it across her own doorsill before she began to wring her hands. Oh! her Father in heaven, what kind of mother-in-law would that woman make to poor Georgie? She received no immediate answer to this interrogative prayer. We never do. An answer to prayer comes when you wait until it is worked out somewhere in life. Her own suspicions answered it clearly enough, however; she must knuckle to some sort of courtship of that old Adams woman, or there was no telling what might happen. She had taken it for granted that George would bring his wife to his own home. One look at Mrs. Adams convinced her that if the young couple lived with anybody they would live with Helen’s mother. That would never do! Since George was determined to marry the girl the only wise course to follow would be to give him a home of his own. She would tell Mr. Cutter so, and why. He could afford to do something for George. He might make him a wedding present of the old Carrol place. It would cost something to repair the house, but anything would be better than sitting across the street and seeing George domesticated in the Adams home. All this is important to set down in order that you may realize the difficulty so many young people have in disentangling themselves from the lives of their elders and starting out for themselves. We have escaped the old tribal instinct in everything more than in this. The son is persuaded to bring his wife into his father’s house, or he does do it for the sake of economy. Nothing can be more disintegrating to the welding and growth of such a marriage.