She tried to convince Lane there was some kind of a law to keep a young girl home.

She pleaded and begged him to remain.

She dwelt on his ill health.

But Lane was obdurate; and not the least of his hurts was the last one--a divination that in spite of his mother's distress there was a feeling of relief of which she was unconscious.

He assured her that he would come to see her often during the afternoons and would care as best he could for his health.