"Hope you don't mind my calling you Jack. Under the circumstances we still find it hard to say 'mother.' You know we always heard you spoken of as 'Jack' by Aunt Jean, Aunt Olive, Aunt Frieda and father."
A more cheerful expression appeared upon Mrs. Colter's face as if she too were for the moment relieved from an idea that troubled her.
"Oh, of course I prefer to be called 'Jack'," she returned, "absurd as the name may now seem for me. I have been called Jack always by the people who had any affection for me. Of course you girls must realize it is not your respect I long for but your friendship. Naturally you do not wish to use the most beautiful title in the world for any one save your own mother. Still, do please call me something or other. It has been pretty hard not to have any name. I wonder if you realize how often you wait to catch my eye before speaking to me at all!"
The girls laughed.
With an unusual burst of affection Eda flung her arms about her.
"May I, too, say Jack? I'm not really so much younger than the others."
Jack held her close, graver than a moment before.
"I have not answered your first question, Lina. Yes, your father is worried over some business matters. But I am sure things will adjust themselves and there is no reason so far to trouble you."
An hour Jeanette waited alone in her own room expecting a tap on the door and the interview she was trying to prepare herself for.
She did not sit down. After making her bed she wandered about her room, idly fingering her possessions.