Love, sympathy, unselfishness and forbearance are not bad equivalents for breeding and etiquette, and have the additional advantage of meeting new and unusual conditions which sometimes occur to even the most conventional.
One hope did come to her, "Perhaps, now that"-- and Mrs.Stirling left "that" blank even in her thoughts; "now my boy, my Peter, will not be so set on going to New York." In this, however, she was disappointed.

On the second day of his stay, Peter spoke of his intention to start for New York the following week.
"Don't you think you could do as well here ?" said Mrs.Stirling.
"Up to a certain point, better.

But New York has a big beyond," said Peter.

"I'll try it there first, and if I don't make my way, I'll come back here" Few mothers hope for a son's failure, yet Mrs.Stirling allowed herself a moment's happiness over this possibility.

Then remembering that her Peter could not possibly fail, she became despondent.