“I know you can. Come,” and she opened the door, restoring him the handkerchief which she had hung over the knob. As they went down the stair together, Stewart saw the landlady waiting anxiously at the foot. One glance at them, and her face became radiant. [Pg 76] [Pg 76] “Ah, you are late!” she cried, shaking a reproving finger. “But I expected it. I would not permit Hans to call you. When husband and wife meet after a long separation, they do not wish to be disturbed—not even for dinner. This way! I have placed the table in the court—it is much pleasanter there when the days are so warm,” and she bustled before them to a vine-shaded corner of the court, where a snowy table awaited them. A moment later Hans entered with the soup. Stewart, happening to meet his glance, read the suspicion there. “Well,” he said, breaking off a piece of the crisp bread, “this is almost like home, isn’t it? I can’t tell you, Mary, how glad I am to have you back again,” and he reached out and gave her hand a little squeeze. “Looking so well, too. Spa was evidently just the place for you.” “Yes—it was very pleasant and the doctor was very kind. But I am glad to get back to you, Tommy,” she added, gazing at him fondly. “I could weep with joy just to look at that honest face of yours!” Stewart felt his heart skip a beat. “You will make me conceited, if you don’t take care, old lady!” he protested. “And surely I’ve got [Pg 77]enough cause for conceit already, with the most beautiful woman in the world sitting across from me, telling me she loves me. Don’t blame me if I lose my head a little!” [Pg 77] The ardor in his tone brought the color into her cheeks. “You must not look at me like that!” she reproved. “People will think we are on our moon of—our honeymoon,” she corrected, hastily. “Instead of having been married four years! I wonder how John and Sallie are getting along? Aren’t you just crazy to see the kids!” She choked over her soup, but managed to nod mutely. Then, as Hans removed the plates and disappeared in the direction of the kitchen, he added in a lower tone, “You must allow me the children. I find I can’t be happy without them!”
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