He laughed loudly.
"Then, my dear mamma, you should grow old as quickly as possible, put on a cap, and sit in a jacket at the fireplace. I should be filled then with timid respect, and would hurry away with all speed from such an annoying mamma!"
"But since I am not annoying you will be good and come home with us. We shall drink tea together."
"Au desespoir, chere maman! But that cannot be. The rest of this day, or night, I have promised to friends."
"Is to-day the only time promised?" asked she, with a shade of sadness.
"For the true sage to-morrow and yesterday have no existence," answered Maryan.
They were at the open door of the carriage; Maryan bent and kissed his mother's hand.
"Be not angry, mamma dear! But you are never angry. If there is anything on earth that I worship yet it is your marvellous sweetness of temper."
"It is excessive," answered Malvina. "If I only knew how to dominate—"
He interrupted her, with a laugh: