"If anyone but you had seen me just now——"
"But no one did. And I've forgotten it, very nearly." He raised that droll left eyebrow, and she smiled at him.
"A night's rest is a very good thing for a memory that's too thorough," she said.
"I expect to find it so."
"Then, Alexander, what did you mean by saying that? It's not fair to take advantage of a woman's crying, and the only time you've ever seen her do it—or shall."
"I shall remember again if you're not careful. I'd decided before I saw you. Read that."
She read, and handed back the letter. "You'd never dream of it," she said.
"Why not?" Her indignation was the mirror that reflected his own late despair, seen now as a small and foolish thing; and as he gathered the thoughts which were to silence his mother's protests, the ideal came floating back to him, with pinions spread, so near and beautiful that he almost touched it.
"You with your degree! You could go anywhere."
"I don't know. I'm not a social success. I've lived these four years in fear of being called one of Nature's gentlemen."