She turned to those who sat about the table and made a little rustic courtesy. A dead calm seemed to take possession of one and all. They did not glance at each other, but looked at her as she stood by Haworth, holding his hand, waiting for him to kiss her.
"He's so took by surprise," she said, "he doesn't know what to say. He wasn't expecting me so soon," laughing proudly. "That's it. I'm his mother, ladies and gentlemen."
Haworth made a sign to the servant who waited.
"Bring a plate here," he, said. "She'll sit down with us."
The order was obeyed, and she sat down at his right hand, fluttered and beaming.
"You're very good not to mind me," she said. "I didn't think of there bein' comp'ny—and gentry, too."
She turned to a brightly dressed girl at her side and spoke to her.
"He's my only son, Miss, and me a widder, an' he's allers been just what you see him now. He was good from the time he was a infant. He's been a pride an' a comfort to me since the day he were born."
The girl stared at her with a look which was almost a look of fear. She answered her in a hushed voice.
"Yes, ma'am," she said.
"Yes, Miss," happily. "There's not many mothers as can say what I can. He's never been ashamed of me, hasn't Jem. If I'd been a lady born, he couldn't have showed me more respect than he has, nor been more kinder."
The girl did not answer this time. She looked down at her plate, and her hand trembled as she pretended to occupy herself with the fruit upon it. Then she stole a
