"All. Every word. Between you and her I will not stand. I have given her my mind. It is all I have to give her at present. I want to hear something about Harry. Whatever is he coming to Yoden for? Yoden will take a goodish bit of money
to run it and if he hasn't a capable wife, he had better move out as soon as he moves in."
Then John told her the whole truth about Harry's position—his weariness of his profession, his indifference to business, and his temptation to gamble.
"The poor lad! The poor lad!" she cried. "He began all wrong. He has just been seeking his right place all these years."
"Well, mother, we cannot get over the stile until we come to it. I think Harry has crossed it now. And there could not be a better wife and mother than Lucy Hatton. You will help and advise her, mother? I am sure you will."
"I will do what I can, John. She ought to have called the little girl after me. I can scarce frame myself to love her under Agnes. However, it is English enough to stick in my memory and maybe it may find the way to my heart. As to Harry, he is my boy, and I will stand by him everywhere and in every way I can. He is sweet and true-hearted, and clever on all sides—the dangerous ten talents, John! We ought to pity and help him, for their general heritage is
"The ears to hear,
The eyes to see,
And the hands
That let all go."