e has been long away. And Miss Summers is an
attractive young woman who has been thrown much with him. . . . I have
seen what I have seen."

"Mother!" Jonathan stood stiffly, as though he had been turned to
stone. "Oh, that is impossible. You are unjust. It isn't like you to
be so suspicious. There is nothing between them but a friendly
attachment."

"A friendly attachment! In words, perhaps. But--oh, my poor blind
son! Jonathan, sit here beside me."

He went to her and sat down by her side. She took both his hands. And
her voice was very gentle.

"You are in love with her, are you not?"

"Yes," he said.

"Then press your suit quickly, my son."

"But I can't--you must see that. I am her employer. She is dependent
on me. It would put her in a distressing position."

"I approve of your delicacy. Not many men display it in these greedy
days, I am told. But delicacy can be carried to excess. Women love to
be wooed strongly, masterfully. I remember how your father--"

"My father was equipped for masterfulness. I," he smiled sadly, "am
not."

"You are small, I know, like me. I had hoped my son would be tall."
She sighed. "But many small men have been great and strong."

"You don't understand. Mother, you have been blessed--you have never
had to look on your son. That is why I never let you touch my face. I
am more than merely small. I am ugly. I am ridiculous. I am almost
grotesque. People smile in amusement when they see me and never take
me seriously."

"Does _she_ smile in amusement when she sees you?"

"No. She is too big-hearted for that. She is gentle and kind and
friendly, because she is a little sorry for me and because she thinks
mistakenly that she has reason to be grateful. As a friend, a helper,
I am tolerable. As a lover I should only be absurd. See, mother, for
yourself--this once!" He lifted her sensitive hands and guided them
over his face. "My nose--my ears--my little pig's eyes--this grinning
mouth--these silly whiskers that hide a little of my absurdity--"

She drew her hands quickly away.

"You are a gentleman, a fine, great-hearted gentleman--"

"With a face like a comic valentine. Even my mother can't say no to
that. What woman wants a comic valentine for her lover? Don't you
understand now? I can have her friendship now and be with her a
little. And I can do little things to help her. I can't risk losing
that to seek something she never coul