How many men of my age do you suppose would have yielded to you in the matter of a latch-key?
Poor old Anderson has been the chief sufferer, and the victim of your strictness; do you think it has not troubled me to keep him up night after night ?" "Anderson is my servant, and has to do his duty," replied Mrs.Herrick rather stiffly.
"And he has done it," was Malcolm's answer; "he has been perfectly conscientious; if he grumbled a bit now and then, no one could wonder, at his age.

Mother, it is no good talking--it is not only the question of the latch-key, I want to have a place where I can be free to lead my own life and see my own friends; there is no room for them here--your busy life is too much crowded up with work to have leisure for society." "I have never refused to entertain your friends, Malcolm;" and a dull red flush crossed the mother's face, as though this reproach had gone home.
"Possibly not," rather coldly, "I do not think I have ever asked you; but, mother, let us make an end of this.

The first break will be painful to all of us, but we shall soon shake down, and then you and Anna will own that it was for the best.

When you want me I shall always be at your service.

I shall see you every few days--Cheyne Walk and Queen's Gate are not very far apart.