“You might have saved us the disagreeables of this interview.  And one thing more,” impressively, “you evidently are not taking into consideration, perhaps you never knew, that it was your grandfather’s confidence in a certain course which induced your poor father to take that last fatal flyer.  Your grandfather feels—­I’m sure he feels—­that much reparation is due us.  The present conditions are easier for him than a separate suitable home would be, therefore”—­Mrs. Evringham waved her hand.  “It is strange,” she added, “that so young a girl should not repose more trust in her mother’s judgment.  And now that we are on the subject, I wish you would make more effort with your grandfather.  Don’t be so silent at table and leave all the talking to me.  A man of his age likes to have merry young people about.  Chat, create a cheerful atmosphere.  He likes to look at you, of course, but you have been so quiet and lackadaisical of late, it is enough to hurt his feelings as host.”

“He has never shown any symptoms of anxiety,” remarked Eloise.

“Well, he is a very self-contained man.”

“He is indeed, poor grandfather; I don’t know how you will manage, mother, when you have to play the game of ‘pretend’ all alone.  He is growing tired of it, I can see.  His courtesy is wearing very thin.  I’m sorry to make it harder for you by taking away what must have been a large prop and support, but I heard papa say to himself more than once in those last sad days, ‘If I had only taken my father’s advice.’”

“Eloise,” very earnestly, “you misunderstood, you certainly misunderstood.”

The girl shook her head wearily.  “No, alas!  I neither misunderstand nor forget, when it would be most convenient to do so.”

Mrs. Evringham’s fair brow contracted as she regarded her daughter with exasperation.  “And you are only nineteen!  One would think it was you instead of me to whom the next birthday would bring that detested forty.”

The girl looked at her mother, whose youthful face and figure betrayed the source of her own heritage of physical charm.

“I long ago gave up the hope of ever again being as young as you are,” she returned sadly.  “Oh!” with a rare and piteous burst of feeling, “if dear papa could have stayed with us, and we could have had a right somewhere!”

Mrs. Evringham threw her arms about the young creature, welcoming the softened mood.  “You know I took you right to my own people, Eloise,” she said gently.  “We stayed as long as I thought was right; they couldn’t afford to keep us.”  A sound at the door caused her to turn.  The erect form of her father-in-law had just entered the room.

“Ah, good evening, father,” she said in tones whose sadness was not altogether feigned, even though she secretly rejoiced that Eloise should for once show such opportune emotion.  “Pardon this little girl.  She was just feeling overwhelmed with a pang of homesickness for her father.”