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Rh So you have found a son while I was losing mine—who is yours, too!

[Struck by this—impersonally interested]

That’s never occurred to me but now I think of it—

[Smiling]

Yes, perhaps unconsciously Preston is a compensating substitute. Well, it’s done both of us good and hasn’t harmed anyone.

[With bitter emphasis]

Except your real son—and me—but we don’t count, I suppose!

[Coolly]

Harmed Gordon? How? He’s all right, isn’t he?

[With a sneer]

I should say from all I’ve been hearing that he was your ideal of college hero—like his never-to-be-forgotten namesake!

[Thinking resentfully]

He’s sneering at his own son!

[Then trying to be calculating]

But I mustn’t get angry I must make him help me.

[Speaking with gentle reproach]

And am I the ideal of a happy mother, Ned?