“Well, first, Helen Northrup was just like all loving young girls, I guess––but when she didn’t find all she wanted, she took to developing, as she called it. For my part I believe when a woman finds her husband isn’t all she expected, she ought to accept her lot and make the best of it.”

“And Brace’s mother started out to make her own lot? I see.”

Kathryn nodded her head.

“Well, something like that. She took to writing. Thomas 125 Northrup didn’t know what ailed her and I don’t wonder. She should have spent herself on his career, not making one for herself. But I must say when Brace was born she stopped that nonsense but she evolved then into a mother!” Anna sniffed. “A man can share with his children, but when it comes to giving up everything, well!”

“What did he do, Aunt Anna?”

“He went away.”

“With a woman?”

“Yes.”

“One he just met when Mrs. Northrup became a mother?”

“He knew her before, but if Helen Northrup had been all she should have been to him–––”