She held up her hands, and he drew her to her feet.
“You've been awfully dear about the house,” she said. And standing on tiptoe, she kissed him on the cheek. Still holding both her hands, he looked down at her gravely.
“Do you really think that, Natalie?”
“Of course.”
“Then—will you do something in return?”
Her eyes became shrewd, watchful.
“Anything in reason.”
“Don't, don't, dear, make Graham afraid of me.”
“As if I did! If he is afraid of you, it is your own fault”
“Perhaps it is. But I try—good God, Natalie, I do try. He needs a curb now and then. All boys do. But if we could only agree on it—don't you see how it is now?” he asked, trying to reason gently with her. “All the discipline comes from me, all the indulgence from you. And—I don't want to lose my boy, my dear.”