What she thought was: "If I am not mistaken, my hat did a small bit of execution to-night." She stepped to her room to lock the door and stopped a few minutes to arrange the clothing she had discarded when she dressed hurriedly before going to the concert, then, the letters in her hand, she opened Mrs.Jardine's door.
A few minutes before, there had been a tap on that same door.
"Come in," said Mrs.Jardine, expecting Kate or Jennie Weeks.

She slowly lifted her eyes and faced a tall, slender man standing there.
"John Jardine, what in the world are you doing here ?" she demanded after the manner of mothers, "and what in this world has happened to you ?" "Does it show on me like that ?" he stammered.
"Was your train in a wreck?
Are you in trouble ?" she asked.

"Something shows plainly enough, but I don't understand what it is." "Are you all right, Mother ?" He advanced a step, looking intently at her.
"Of course I'm all right! You can see that for yourself.

The question is, what's the matter with you ?" "If you will have it, there is something the matter.

Since I saw you last I have seen a woman I want to marry, that's all; unless I add that I want her so badly that I haven't much sense left.