"These stairs are getting too much for me," she said.
"Well, mater?" asked Cuthbert in an interrogating way.
"Well, Cuthbert, they are very grateful to you," she said.
He lay back on his pillows.
"Don't I know that patronizing gratitude," he said. It seemed as though they had all suddenly determined to be down on the Dudgeons. His face appeared hard and very determined. He had the fine forehead which so distinguished his father, with the same clear-cut features, and a chin of which the outline was strong and yet frankly boyish. He had a patient insistent way of looking out of his eyes. It had often the effect of wresting remarks from people who imagined they had nothing to say.
This time, Mrs. Leighton, noting that familiar appeal in his eyes, was drawn to discussing the Dudgeons.
"Mrs. Dudgeon was very nice; she said several very nice things about you and us. She says that Mr. Dudgeon had always a great respect for your father. He knew what he had done in connection with the Antiquarian Society and so on. Miss Dudgeon was very quiet."
"Stiff little thing," said Jean, with her head in the air.
"She was very nice," said Mrs. Leighton. There was a softness in her voice which arrested the flippancy of the girls. "I don't know when I have met a girl I liked so much."
"Good old Adelaide Maud," cried Jean.