And he smiled at her. "It's all right, Jane."
"I'm old enough to be your mother," she said ruefully.
"Nonsense!"
"Well, I feel old enough! I feel like a mother to everybody, I guess!" She bent to him.... "And I'm sorry!" she said swiftly. She kissed him on the cheek—a full, loving, motherly kiss—and drew back from the detaining hand.
"Now you are going to bed," she said practically. "Here's Henry!" She crossed to the man and gave directions for Herman Medfield's comfort; she looked regretfully at the figure sitting in the big chair before the fire as she gave them. She crossed to it again.
"Good-by," she said.
He took the cool, firm fingers in his, and held them close and lifted them to his lips.
"Good-by," he said.
Aunt Jane went quietly from the room.