"Over every mile of that long drive home last night, I was brooding and thinking of you——"
"Of me?"
"Wondering if I had done my level best to carry out the dying commands of your mother——"
He paused, drew a deep breath, looked up tenderly and continued:
"I wish you were settled in life."
The boy turned slightly away and the father watched him keenly and furtively for a moment, and took a step toward him:
"You have never been in love?"
With a shrug and a laugh, Tom dropped carelessly on the settee and crossed his legs:
"Love—hardly!"
The father held his breath until the light answer brought relief and then smiled: