"But wait, Mother, wait until I can manage to meet the girl I've seen. Wait until I have a chance to show her to you!" he begged.
"I suppose I shall be forced," she said. "I've always dreaded it, now here it comes. Oh, why couldn't it have been Kate? Why did she go to that silly concert? If only I'd kept her here, and we'd walked down to the station. I'd half a mind to!"
Then the door opened, and Kate stepped into the room. She stood still, looking at them. John Jardine stood up, looking at her. His mother sat staring at them in turn. Kate recovered first.
"Please excuse me," she said.
She laid the letters on a small table and turned to go. John caught his mother's hand closer, when he found himself holding it.
"If you know the young lady, Mother," he said, "why don't you introduce us?"
"Oh, I was so bewildered by your coming," she said. "Kate, dear, let me present my son."
Kate crossed the room, and looking straight into each other's eyes they shook hands and found chairs.
"How was your concert, my dear?" asked Mrs. Jardine.
"I don't think it was very good," said Kate. "Not at all up to my expectations. How did you like it, Mr. Jardine?"