His grandmother regarded him with anxious eyes. She asked his mother one day:
"Are you bringing up that child in the crude modern fashion of letting him think himself of more importance than us older folk?"
"No, Mother, but he has an original mind, and I don't want him snubbed and repressed."
Diana heard this, and pondered over it. Another day her Granny said:
"I still doubt the wisdom of your burying yourself in the country. After your time abroad you will feel the loneliness dreadfully. I couldn't stand the country, and came to town, as you know. You will have very few neighbours."
"So much the better. I shall have my children, and I am sick and tired of society life. It is only a year and then Gregory will be home."
Then seeing Diana standing by, her mother turned to her.
"You won't let me be dull, Diana, will you?"
"Not if I can help it," said Diana fervently; and she there and then registered a vow that she would not.
The day of departure came at last.