"Aunt Maude, Dicky may come back to New York to live."
"He should never have left. What does your mother think of it?"
"I haven't told her of Austin's offer. I shall write to-night."
"If she has a grain of sense, she'll make you take it."
Eve was restless. "Come on down, Dicky. It is time that Aunt Maude was in bed."
"I never go until you do, Eve, and in my day young men went home before morning."
"Dearest, Dicky shall leave in ten minutes. I'll send him."
But when they were once more in the great drawing-room, she forgot the time limit. "Don't let your mother settle things for you, Dicky. Think of yourself and your future. Of your—manhood, Dicky—please."
She was very lovely as she stood before him, with her hands on his shoulders. "I want you to be the biggest of them—all," she said, and her laugh was tremulous.
"I know. Eve, I want to stay."