"Even for giving your life to the care of a helpless, uninteresting old woman?"
"Hush, mother!" He reached her in a twinkling and patted the fine silver of her hair. "You know better than that."
"I know what you have given up for me. It is only lately that I have begun to understand. Oh, Jonathan—"
"But think what I've gained by staying with you! There have never been any regrets."
"You have been a good son." But her smile was very faint. "Do you like David Quentin as well as ever?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"There are no 'whys' in friendship, mother."
"Does he return your friendship in equal degree, do you think?"
His answer was without hesitation. "No."