Stephen is different in a way--and yet not different enough.

It would be his salvation if he could care enough for Patty to take a risk for her sake; but his mother, of course, would fight against it with every particle of her influence, and her influence is enormous." Then she met his eyes boldly: "Wouldn't you fight against it in her place ?" she asked.
"I?
Oh, I shouldn't care a hang what anybody thought if I liked the girl," he retorted.

His smile shone out warmly.

"Would you ?" he demanded in his turn.
For an instant his blunt question disconcerted her, and while she hesitated she felt his blue eyes on her downcast face.

"You can't judge by me," she answered presently.