Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/273

 buries its tear-stained face in its mother's breast. And now Scobee whom the War had hurt so terribly was turning to his mother's memory. His real mother he had never known. But her rare personality he had found in the beloved house. Hung Long Tom had helped to weave this mother-romance.

Dallis Graham was very glad to have Scobee back. The period of separation had been hard for her. She cared more for Scobee than she could ever care for anyone. But she understood how he felt so she had not forced herself upon him. He must become readjusted. She, too, could wait, if need be, always. But now he was back from China and she hoped that the change had done him good. She thought he looked well. His face had lost its pallor. It was more serene. His expression had ceased to be dull, hopeless. She accepted his return as a matter of course. She did not make a big fuss over him. She knew he would not like it. This was no time for rejoicing.

She greeted him as though he had been away only a few days and not for many