Chapter XXVI
George choked. For an instant he was on the point of breaking down, but he commanded himself, bravely dismissing the self-pity roused by her compassion. "How can I help but be?" he said.
"No, no." She soothed him. "You mustn't. You mustn't be troubled, no matter what happens."
"That's easy enough to say!" he protested; and he moved as if to rise.
"Just let's stay like this a little while, dear. Just a minute or two. I want to tell you: brother George has been here, and he told me everything about—about how unhappy you'd been—and how you went so gallantly to that old woman with the operaglasses." Isabel gave a sad little laugh. "What a terrible old woman she is! What a really terrible thing a vulgar old woman can be!"
"Mother, I—" And again he moved to rise.
"Must you? It
