He knew how his mother was looking, even though he could not see her—that set look of being ready for anything. He wanted to spare her as much as possible, so he hastened on:
"You remember speaking to me about the ring I wore?"
"Tryon! Are you engaged?" There was a sharp anxiety in the tone as it came through the hundreds of miles of space.
"One better, Mother. I'm just about to be married!"
"My son! What have you done? Don't forget the honorable name you bear!"
"No, Mother, I don't forget. She's fine and beautiful and sweet. You will love her, and our world will fall at her feet!"
"But who is she? You must remember that love is very blind. Tryon, you must come home at once. I shall die if you disgrace us all. Don't do anything to spoil our lives. I know it is something dreadful, or you would not do it in such haste."
"Nothing of the kind, Mother. Can't you trust me? Let me explain. She is alone, and legal circumstances which it would take too long for me to explain over the 'phone have made it desirable for her to have my immediate protection. We are going at once to Edwin Twinell's church, and he will marry us. It is all arranged, but I felt that you ought to be told beforehand. We shall probably take the night express for home. Tell Cornelia that I shall expect congratulations telegraphed to the hotel here inside of two hours."
"But, Tryon, what will our friends think? It is most extraordinary! How can you manage about announcements?"
"Bother the red tape, Mother! What difference does that make? Put it in the society column if you want to."