"Why, mother, what has come to you?
And besides--" "Besides ?" "I'm sure papa hated compliments, and all that sort of rot," Peter blurted out, in boyish fashion.

"Don't you remember how fond he was of quoting, 'Praise to the face is open disgrace' ?" The late Sir Timothy, like many middle-class people, had taken a compliment almost as a personal offence; and regarded the utterer, however gracious or sincere, with suspicion.

Neither had the squire himself erred on the side of flattering his fellow-creatures.
"Oh yes, I remember," said Lady Mary; and she rose from the sofa.
"Why, what's the matter ?" asked Peter.

"I haven't vexed you, have I ?" She turned impetuously and threw her arms round him as he stood by the hearth, gazing down upon her in bewilderment.
"Vexed with my boy, my darling, my only son, on the very day when God has given him back to me ?" she cried passionately.

"My poor wounded boy, my hero! Oh no, no! But I want only love from you to-day, and no reproaches, Peter." "Why, I wasn't dreaming of reproaching you, mother." He hesitated.
"Only you're a bit different from what I expected--that's all." "Have I disappointed you ?" "No, no! Only I--well, I thought I might find you changed, but in a different way," he said, half apologetically.