"O mother," he said, "I didn't know you were there."
"But you don't mind me," she said.
Ted hesitated.
"I don't know how it is, mother," he said, frankly. "It isn't as if I could sing, you know. But I can't even try to do it when anybody's there. Is it silly, mother?"
"It's very natural," she said, kindly. "But if it gives me pleasure to hear you?"
"Yes," he said, gently.
"And when you're a man I hope and think you may have a nice voice."
"Yes," he said again, rather absently.
Something in his tone struck his mother; it sounded tired.
"You're quite well, Ted, aren't you?" she said.