Some
fellows are chiselled out. I wonder--about little Billy."
"Somehow"--Lynda gave a little contented smile--"I am not afraid for
Billy. But I would not take the glory of conflict from him--no! not for
all Uncle William's money! He must do his part in the world and find
his place--not the place others may choose for him."
"You're going to be sterner with him than you are with Ann, aren't you,
Lyn?" Truedale meant this lightly, but Lynda looked serious.
"I shall be able to, Con, for Billy brought something with him that Ann
had to find."
"I see--I see! That's where a mother comes in strong, my dear."
"Oh! Con, it's where she comes in with fear and trembling--but with an
awful comprehension."
This "comprehension" of the responsibilities of maternity worked forward
and backward with Lynda much to Truedale's secret amusement. Confident
of her duty to her son, she interpreted her duty to Ann. While Billy,
red-faced and roving-eyed, gurgled or howled in his extreme youth, Lynda
retraced her steps and commandingly repaired some damages in her
treatment of Ann.
"Ann," she said one day, "you must go to school."
"Why?" Ann naturally asked. She was a conscientious little student and
extremely happy with the governess who came daily to instruct her.
"You study and learn splendidly, Ann, but you must have--have children
in your life.
Pages:
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304