"I thought I would come, as this is Allen's welcome home," said Mr. Mask; "you don't mind?"
"I am delighted."
"And you, Miss Strode?"
"I am pleased too. I look on you as one of my best friends," said Eva, who did not forget that she owed Mrs. Palmer's protection to the lawyer's kindness. "Mrs. Hill, how are you?"
"I think you can call me mother now," said the old lady as she greeted her son's promised wife with a kiss.
"Oh!" said Allen, who looked bronzed and very fit, "I think, mother, you are usurping my privilege."
"Why should it be a privilege?" said Horace, casting looks at the widow; "why not make it a universal custom?"
"In that case I should----" began Mrs. Palmer.
"No, you shouldn't," said Horace, "the world wouldn't let you."
"Let me what? You don't know what I was about to say."