"Yes, he calls me mither, you know."
"I'd like to call you 'mither' myself some day. It's a beautiful name."
She felt provoked with herself. Why in the world had she made that unfortunate remark?
"You love children, don't you?" He was not smiling now.
"Oh, yes; from my childhood up I have loved every child I have seen."
"I see."
But at this juncture Bobbie again roused, rubbed his eyes and demanded to be put down. So Kenneth set him on his feet. The little lad stood in sleepy bewilderment a moment, then with an engaging smile, offered one hand to Esther, and the other to Kenneth. He began to chatter.
"Bobbie loves his mither."
"So do I," responded Kenneth.
Esther bit her lip. She would not look up. But she felt her cheeks flush.