After listening and punctuating his remarks with "of courses" and "yeses" and "so's," Mrs.Mason's reply was:-- "Of course, Mr.Barclay,"-- the Mr.Barclay he remembered as the only time in his life he ever had it from her,--"of course, Mr.Barclay, that is a matter rather for you and Mr.Mason to settle.

You know," she added, folding her hands across her ample waist, "Mr.Mason is the head of the house!" Then she lifted her voice, perhaps fearing that matters might be delayed.

"Oh, pa!" she cried.

"Pa! Come in here, please.

There's a gentleman to see you." Lycurgus Mason came in with a tea towel in his hands and an apron on.
He heard John through in a dazed way, his hollow eyes blinking with evident uncertainty as to what was expected of him.