“What?”
“You said she had just the qualities you’ve observed in the noblest women. Well, grandma has noble qualities. I was wondering——”
“No,” Dan said, swallowing. “Lena—well, she’s different.”
“If she has the qualities that will help you in building your future,” Mrs. Oliphant said, “that will be enough for us.”
“She has, mother. Those are just exactly the qualities she’s got. Don’t you think when—when——” He faltered, obviously in timidity, and glanced nervously at the observant Harlan.
“When what, dear?”
“Well, when—when a wife’s an—an inspiration,” he said, gulping the word out;—“well, isn’t that just everything?”
“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Oliphant said comfortingly. Then, when she had touched her eyes with her lace-edged little handkerchief, she spoke more briskly. “This will be quite exciting news for your grandmother, Dan. Poor dear woman! She’s been waiting so anxiously for you to come home; and she’s grown so frail these last few months; she kept saying she was afraid she wouldn’t last till you got here. She’s devoted to Harlan, of course, but I think you’ve always been a little her favourite, Dan.”
“A little?” Harlan repeated serenely. “She really doesn’t like me at all.”
“Oh, yes, she does,” his mother protested. “She’s devoted to you, too, but she——”