"When you goin' ?" "Where ?" asked Hawker, flushing.
"Back to New York." "Why--I hadn't thought much about---- Oh, next week, I guess." "Well, do as you like, William.

You know how glad me an' mother and the girls are to have you come home with us whenever you can come.

You know that.

But you must do as you think best, and if you ought to go back to New York now, William, why--do as you think best." "Well, my work----" said Hawker.
From time to time the mother made wondering speech to the sisters.

"How much nicer William is now! He's just as good as he can be.