"No sugar, please, mother," he said, as she dived into the sugar-basin.
"Nonsense, Jamie," answered Mrs. Parsons, with her good-humoured, indulgent smile. "Sugar's good for you." And she put in two big lumps.
"You don't ask after Mary," said Colonel Parsons.
"How is she?" said James. "Where is she?"
"If you wait a little she'll be here."
Then Mrs. Parsons broke in.
"I don't know what we should have done without her; she's been so good and kind to us, and such a comfort. We're simply devoted to her, aren't we, Richmond?"
"She's the nicest girl I've ever seen."
"And she's so good. She works among the poor like a professional nurse. We told you that she lived with us for six months while Colonel and Mrs. Clibborn went abroad. She was never put out at anything, but was always smiling and cheerful. She has the sweetest character."
The good people thought they were delighting their son by these eulogies. He looked at them gravely.