"Alma, be good to mama tonight! Sweetheart—be good to her."
The quick suspecting fear that had motivated Miss Samstag's groping along the beaded hand-bag shot out again in her manner.
"Mama—you haven't?"
"No, no. Don't nag me. It's something else, Alma. Something mama is very happy about."
"Mama, you've broken your promise again."
"No. No. No. Alma, I've been a good mother to you, haven't I?"
"Yes, mama, yes, but what—"
"Whatever else I've been hasn't been my fault—you've always blamed Heyman."
"Mama, I don't understand."
"I've caused you worry, Alma—terrible worry. But everything is changed now. Mama's going to turn over a new leaf that everything is going to be happiness in this family."