This time she received him graciously; she dismissed him with her thanks.

"Have you seen your mother lately, Horace ?" she asked, suddenly sitting up and busying herself with her work.
"I saw her yesterday," Horace answered.
"She understands, I hope, that I am not well enough to call on her?
She is not offended with me ?" Horace recovered his serenity.

The deference to his mother implied in Mercy's questions gently flattered his self-esteem.

He resumed his place on the sofa.
"Offended with you!" he answered, smiling.

"My dear Grace, she sends you her love.