"Not of Eileen. She allures him, but, I come first."
"You would always have your place. You are of the women who are adored by their sons. You would not care for Eileen for a daughter-in-law, though she has been almost your adopted daughter these ten years back?"
"She would not suit Terry."
"She is very fond of you."
"Yes, I think she is fond of me." Her voice was cold.
"I hardly know you, Mary, in this mood towards Eileen. You are usually so sweetly reasonable."
"It is the privilege of a woman to be unreasonable sometimes."
The sunshine came back to her face, laughed in the depths of her eyes and brought a dimple to either cheek.
"I suppose I am a little jealous of Terry," she said. "You see he is very like you, Shawn. And I am fond of Eileen, really. Only, I suppose all mothers are critical of the girls their sons fall in love with, especially if it is an only son. It is odd how it has come suddenly to Terry that Eileen is a pretty girl. Of course he has only seen her in her vacations. Sit down now, Shawn, and I will read you Aunt Grace's letter."
He sat down obediently in the revolving chair in front of his desk and she came and stood by him. Her voice was a little disturbed as she read the letter.