"For mercy's sake," said Mrs. Wilbur at last, "I should judge from what you say that the boy isn't far off melancholia."
Mrs. Lowell sighed unconsciously. Mrs. Wilbur heard her, but did not understand the reason for it.
"Well, don't ask me to lunch with him. I am sure he would make me nervous," added the lady.
"I think it quite likely he would, Mamma," said her daughter dutifully, one of her problems disappearing. "There certainly will be an interesting evolution observable in him very soon, but just at first his limitations might annoy you."
"Well, I'll just stay long enough to look at him and then I will go," returned Mrs. Wilbur.
CHAPTER XVI THE NEW CLIENT
She used her lorgnette upon the pair of guests when they were ushered in, but her interest in the silent boy was quickly transferred to the tall, attractive blond man with the flashing smile and sparkling eyes, who greeted her daughter with such accustomed friendliness.
"Mamma, may I present Mr. Barrison," said Diana serenely.