"And do you think I found it easy with him? We had about twelve hours' solid talk."
"And you don't suppose it was any sort of--personal consideration?"
"Why, I don't know exactly what you mean, mother. I suppose he likes me."
Mrs. Corey could not say just what she meant. She answered, ineffectually enough--
"Yes. You wouldn't like it to be a favour, would you?"
"I think he's a man who may be trusted to look after his own interest. But I don't mind his beginning by liking me. It'll be my own fault if I don't make myself essential to him."
"Yes," said Mrs. Corey.
"Well," demanded her husband, at their first meeting after her interview with their son, "what did you say to Tom?"
"Very little, if anything. I found him with his mind made up, and it would only have distressed him if I had tried to change it."
"That is precisely what I said, my dear."