"I have seen Edgar. He came to my rooms with his father some time since. He is about the age of Mark."
"Yes; there is not over a month's difference between them."
"If Mr. Talbot was different they would be company for each other. I believe Mark meets Edgar occasionally in the street. I hope Edgar is a comfort to you."
"He is my son, and of course I love him; but, Ellen; I fear his father is not exercising a good influence upon him. He is making him proud and arrogant. I would not mention this except to you."
At this moment Mark, going up-town on an errand in a Sixth Avenue car, saw his mother and his aunt together on the sidewalk. He instantly left the car and joined them.
"How do you do, Aunt Lucy?" he said, his face lighting up.
"And this is Mark!" said Mrs. Talbot equally pleased. "How you have grown and how well you look!"
"Thank you, aunt. I am tall enough to look over my mother's head."
"As Edgar is taller than I. Your mother tells me you meet Edgar sometimes."
"Yes, Aunt Lucy," returned Mark smiling, "but he doesn't care to be very intimate with his poor relations."