I DO like you." She gave him no time to acknowledge this tribute, but--as if it were a matter of course--tried him quickly with something else.

"Can you say if you like mother ?" He could meet it pretty well now.

"There are immense reasons why I should." "Yes--I know about them, as I mentioned: mother has told me." But what she had to put to him kept up his surprise.

"Have reasons anything to do with it?
I don't believe you like her!" she exclaimed.

"SHE doesn't think so," she added.
The old man's face at last, partly bewildered, partly reassured, showed something finer still in the effect she produced.