Mrs. Kent spoke for the first time.
"Yes, Jasper, we thought it would only interrupt your studies."
Jasper could not help a slight sneer, as he answered:
"You were very considerate, madam; but it seems to me that such an important event in my father's life would justify an interruption."
Mrs. Kent repressed her real feelings of anger and vexation, and answered mildly, and with an affectation of good humor:
"I don't know but you are right, Jasper, and we were wrong. At any rate, since you have come it is a pity you were not here earlier, so that you could have been present at the ceremony. It was quite private, as your father can tell you."
"Yes, Jasper, there were no invitations issued," said his father.
"I wish that I had come earlier," said Jasper, slowly.
"At any rate, now that you are here," said Mrs. Kent, with well-feigned cordiality, for it was politic to keep on good terms with Jasper, since he was his father's favorite, "you will stay a day or two."
"You forget, madam, the interruption to my studies," said Jasper.