She had not seen her husband since the previous evening at dinner so was in complete ignorance as to what he thought of this new development, but the mother sighed as she thought how happy it would make her to see Jefferson happily married to the girl of his own choice, and in her heart she still entertained the hope that her husband would see it that way and thus prevent their son from leaving them as he threatened.
"That's not your fault, my dear," she replied answering Shirley's question.

"You are yourself--that's the main thing.

You mustn't mind what Mr.Ryder says?
Business and worry makes him irritable at times.

If you must go, of course you must--you are the best judge of that, but Jefferson wants to see you before you leave." She kissed Shirley in motherly fashion, and added: "He has told me everything, dear.

Nothing would make me happier than to see you become his wife.