She knocked smartly on the door.
"Mamma, I never saw anything like your nerve," said Elma.
Cuthbert opened the door. He stood with the fine light of a conqueror shining in his eyes, the triumph of attainment in his bearing.
Mrs. Leighton's nerve broke down at the sight of him. It was true then.
"Oh, Cuthbert, what is this you have been doing?" wailed she. Her son was a man and had left her.
Without a word he led her into the arms of Adelaide Maud.
"And remember, please, Mrs. Leighton," said that personage finally, "that I would have been here long before if he had let me, and that I had practically to propose before he would have me. Surely that is humiliating enough for a Dudgeon."
"Cuthbert wanted to give you your proper position in life, dear, if possible."
"When all I wanted was himself--how silly of him," said Adelaide Maud.
"Would you mind my telling you that that poor child of mine who has just recovered from typhoid fever is sitting like a hall porter at your door, trembling like an aspen leaf," said Mrs. Leighton. "Won't you get her in?"