He hesitated a moment, then answered: "I've been mending that old table—I suppose you heard about my smashing it?"
"Yes; and it seemed a very childish thing to do."
"If you knew how I hate that business and everything connected with it!"
"I do, and it seems absurd to me. Your mother's life is very wonderful and very beautiful to me."
He changed the subject. "Did that man Pettus call just now?"
"Yes."
"He's a scoundrel—that chap. A four-flusher."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, the very looks of the man."
She laughed. "He isn't pretty, but he's a very decent citizen—and has a lovely wife and two daughters."