With a face like a peony she turned and took both of the boy's hands as she said warmly:
"Thank you, Reuben. I'd take a much greater risk to win your friendship, and if you'll give it to me I'll be very proud of it. You are going to make a genuine man."
"Yes, Reuben, thee'll make a man," said his mother, with a low laugh.
"Thee is as blind as a man already."
I looked at her instantly, but she dropped her eyes demurely to her plate. I saw that Mr. Hearn was watching me, and so did not look at Miss Warren.
"Well," said he irritably, "I don't like such escapades; and Emily, if anything of the kind happens again, I'll have to take you to a safer place."
His face was flushed, but hers was very pale.
"It won't happen again," she said quietly, without looking up.
"Richard," said Mr. Yocomb, as if glad to change the subject, "I've got to drive across the country on some business. I will have to be gone all day. Would thee like to go with me?"
"Certainly. I'll go with you to the ends of the earth."
"That would be too far away from mother. Thee always pulls me back very soon, doesn't thee?"