He  managed  to  master  his  astonishment  and  anger ;
but  it  was  a  heavy  draught  on  his  reserve  of  self-dis-
cipline, good  temper,  and  common  sense  to  pass  over
tliis  thing  that  had  been  done  to  him  and  to  concentrate
himself  upon  the  main  issue.  When  he  was  able  to
speak  again,  calmly  and  without  resentment,  he  said :

"  The  first  thing  for  us  to  do,  as  a  family,  is  to
eliminate  all  personal  bitterness  from  this  discussion.
There  must  l^e  no  question  of  our  affection  for  one  an-
other ;  no  question  but  what  we  wish  to  do  the  best  by
eacli  other.  I  accept  that  as  granted.  If  you  took
the  step  ^\hich  you  did  take  it  was  because  you  really
believed  it  necessarj'  for  my  happiness "'

"  I  still  believe  it !  "  she  insisted ;  and  her  lips  be-
came a  thin,  hard  line.
"  Then  we  won't  discuss  it.  But  I  want  to  ask
you  one  thing;  have  j'ou  talked  with  mother  about  it.^"  "

"  Yes — naturally."

"  Has  she  told  you  all  that  I  told  her  this  after-
noon ?  "

"  I  suppose  so.  It  docs  not  alter  my  opinion  one
particle,"  she  replied,  her  pretty  head  obstinately  low-
ered.
