Mrs. Parsons put the backgammon board away, making up her mind to speak, for she too suffered from a shyness which made the subjects she had nearest at heart precisely those that she could least bear to talk about.
"When do you think of getting married, Jamie?"
James started.
"Why, you asked me that yesterday," He tried to make a joke of it. "Upon my word, you're very anxious to get rid of me."
"I wonder if it's occurred to you that you're making Mary a little unhappy?"
James stood up and leaned against the mantelpiece, his face upon his hand.
"I should be sorry to do that, mother."
"You've been home four days, and you've not said a word to show you love her."
"I'm afraid I'm not very demonstrative."
"That's what I said!" cried the Colonel, triumphantly.