"Good boy! But I will not impose on you like that. It is only to take a little run up to New York, find these Stanleys and persuade Ladybird to come here to us with you."
He made a vehement ejaculation, and she saw the crimson mount to his temples.
"You will do this for me, my son?" she cooed, in that soft, caressing voice he had loved ever since it had soothed him to his infant slumbers.
But he rose to his feet impatiently.
"You do not know what you ask—you do not understand—" he began hotly.
The sweetest, most knowing little smile dawned on Mrs. Winans' exquisitely curved red lips.
"Ah, my boy, I know more than you suspect," she smiled. "Do you think I did not know, last summer, that you and Ladybird had been lovers? It was a silly madcap prank, that little affair of hers, but she was so young, so thoughtless, it can easily be forgiven. And she loved you through it all, I am sure."
"She promised to marry another man," he said stiffly.
"Only fun. She did not mean it, poor little madcap," smiled his mother; then more seriously she added: "I am sure the little girl loves you, Earle, and I want you to forgive her and bring her back to us. Promise me."