"I think, Miss Jennings, that it would be a pretty and appropriate thought if, for the future, on arriving at the scene of my daily toil, I were to kiss you good-morning."
"Think again," suggested Miss Jennings.
"Not necessarily for publication," continued the unabashed Timothy, "but as a guaranty of good faith. A purely domestic salute, in fact. These little things have a softening effect upon a man's character."
"They seem to have had a softening effect upon your brain," observed Miss Jennings swiftly.
"It would do me good," urged Tim. "I have no one to kiss me now that my dear mother has been called away."
Miss Jennings looked up, deceived for a moment.
"Is your mother dead?" she asked, more gently.
"Oh, no. She is very well, thank you," said Tim.
"But you said she had been called away."
"So she has."