Page:The Redemption of Anthony (1911).djvu/129

 tioned him to his place. "Come and get your tea—you're tired out."

"I feel as if something had burst in my head, and the relief—you've no idea how great it is!"

She passed him his tea and poured her own. "I'm so glad, dear, for you. And now I've a suggestion to make."

"I'm all ears, madame."

"I've had a letter from mother to-day."

"Did you? Good! Lord! if she were only here to-night!"

She glanced at him wistfully. "Yes, if she only were! It's a very ostensibly cheerful letter, but very lonely between the lines, and so I say, let's go home to mother."

"All right; there's no reason why we shouldn't—now," he said promptly.

She leaped to her feet. "Tony—really?" she cried joyously.

He looked at her curiously. "Has it been as bad as that, my wife?"

"Bad? No, it's perfect—almost. I'm just homesick and mother-sick."