Alden took a letter from his pocket and tossed it into her lap. It announced the sale of the crop at a larger price than ever before, and requested the first chance upon the yield of the following year.
Madame folded it up and gave it back to him, then their eyes met.
Young and strong and hopeful, radiating the consciousness of good work well done, her son smiled back at her. Her face illumined with joy.
"Master of the vineyard at last, my son?" she said.
He rose from his chair, bent over, and kissed her fondly. "Yes, Mother, thanks to you—and Edith." Then he added, after a pause: "Master of myself, too."
XXII
Each to his Own Work
Alden Writes to Edith
"Heart's Dearest: