"As a lover," Grahame corrected, with heaving chest and flashing eyes. "The crowd that will gather to receive you on the dock may have many dignitaries, but I am the only lover. That's why I am here. If I stayed with the crowd, Everard, who hates me almost, would have taken pains to shut me out from even a plain how-de-do with my goddess."
"I see. It's rather early for a goddess, but no doubt she will oblige. You mentioned a crowd on the dock to receive us. What crowd?"
"Your mother," said Doyle, "is a wonderful woman. I have often speculated on the absence of a like ability in her son."
"Nature is kind. Wait till I'm as old as she is," said the son.
"The crowd awaits her to do her honor. The common travelers will land this morning, glad to set foot on solid ground again. Mrs. Montgomery Dillon and her party are the only personages that will arrive from Europe. The crowd gathers to meet, not the passengers who merely land, but the personages who arrive from Europe."
"Nice distinction. And who is the crowd?"
"Monsignor O'Donnell——"
"A very old and dear friend——"
"Who hopes to build his cathedral with her help. The Senator——"
"Representing the Dillon clan."