“It’s so unlike Justin.” Mrs. Cloud assured herself that she believed what she said.
“Oh no, Mrs. Cloud.” Laura’s eyes were shrewd as well as wistful. “He always forgets details. You know what he is. You see, it is a detail to him. It means just nothing.” She lifted her chin. “I’m glad. I like him that way.”
Mrs. Cloud was frowning, very near anger for once. And yet.... Oh, it was extraordinary of Justin ... but she could not think that it was all his fault.... Laura had no business to encourage him....
“I shall speak to Justin,” she said stiffly.
Laura caught her arm with that unseemly naked hand of hers, as if Mrs. Cloud were rising on the instant.
“Oh no, Mrs. Cloud. Please! I should hate you to. I should simply hate it. I don’t want it—that way. If you said anything to him——Oh, please—you wouldn’t, would you?”
“I can say what I like to my own son, Laura,” said Mrs. Cloud fiercely.
“I know. I know. Of course. But——”
“But what?” said Justin’s mother.
“But—I’m going to marry him,” said Laura, softly, but quite desperately.