This intrusion of his mother's was a thing utterly unprecedented, and somehow he at once connected its innovation with the strange manner he had remarked already.

But there was complete cordiality in his welcome, and he wheeled up a chair for her.
"But by all means come in, mother," he said.

"I was not going to bed yet." Lady Ashbridge looked round for her maid.
"And will Petsy not annoy you if he sits quietly on my knee ?" she asked.
"Of course not." Lady Ashbridge took the dog.
"There, that is nice," she said.

"I told them to see you had a good fire on this cold night.

Has it been very cold in London ?" This question had already been asked and answered twice, now for the third time Michael admitted the severity of the weather.
"I hope you wrap up well," she said.