"I'll see to it, sir," Tom replied, turned and was gone.
The father had watched the boy with keen scrutiny every moment and failed to catch the slightest trace of resentment or of hesitation. The pause he had made on receiving the request was only an instant of natural surprise.
Before leaving next morning he sent for Helen who had not appeared at breakfast.
She hastened to answer his summons and he found no trace of anger, resentment or rebellion in her gentle face. Every vestige of the shadow he had thrown over her life seem to have lifted. A tender smile played about her lips as she entered the room.
"You sent for me, major?" she asked with the slightest tremor of timidity in her voice.
"Yes," he answered gravely. "I wish you to remain here until Tom and I return. We'll have a conference then about your future."
"Thank you," she responded simply.
"I trust you will not find yourself unhappy or embarrassed in remaining here alone until we return?"
"Certainly not, major, if it is your wish," was the prompt response.
He bowed and murmured: