"Well, if I were a young man about your age, this letter would be an inspiration to me," said his mother.
"You mean his suggestion about changing the name of our farm?"
"No, I mean his possible suggestion about changing the name of his daughter."
Percy was silent.
"How can I tell anything from your blank face? Why do you not speak?"
"You will have to show me," said Percy.
"Will you accept his invitation?"
"Oh, Mr. West always closes his letters with an invitation for me to visit them if I ever come East. There is nothing exceptional or unusual in that."
"The letter is very exceptional," she repeated, "insomuch that if there is no understanding there is no misunderstanding, and if there is some misunderstanding there was no intention. When Mrs. Barton says: 'Do come over when you can,' there is no invitation intended and no acceptance expected; but when Mrs. McKnight says: 'Can't you and your son come over and take supper with us Thursday evening,'—well that is an invitation to come. In the case of Mr. West's letter, perhaps you had an invitation to spend the Easter vacation at Westover when his daughter will be at home,—and perhaps not."
Percy was silent and his mother quietly waited.