"No," said the little mother. "I quite understand."
"Your boy and my girl are following the inevitable laws of nature, and it's rather hard luck for us both, isn't it?"
Mrs. Guthrie put her handkerchief up to her mouth and nodded.
"Betty's a good girl and I've only to look at you to know that the man to whom she's given her heart is a fine fellow. Well, it brings us up to another milestone, doesn't it?--one that I wish was still some years ahead. However, let's face it with pluck and with unselfishness, and be friends. Shall we?"
"Please," said the little mother, giving him her hand.
And then Dr. Guthrie came up and peered at the man who was talking to his wife. He vaguely remembered the artist's picturesque appearance and fine open face, but he had forgotten his name.
Mrs. Guthrie hurried to the rescue. "You remember Mr. Townsend, of course, Hunter," she said. "Betty's father, you know."
"I beg your pardon," said the Doctor. "Of course I remember you, and I'm very delighted to see you again. You have friends coming on the _Oceanic_ too, then?"
Townsend laughed. "No, I don't know anybody on her--not a soul. All the same I've come to meet your son."
"Indeed! It's very kind of you, I'm sure." And then the Doctor suddenly remembered that sooner or later he'd be obliged to share Peter with the man who stood before him, and just for a moment he--like his wife and like the other father--felt the inevitable stab of jealousy. He covered it with a cordial smile. "What am I thinking about? Betty brought you, naturally. We must meet more often now, Mr. Townsend."
"I should like nothing better. I don't know your boy yet except through his photographs and my having met his mother, but I'm very proud to know that my little girl is to bear a name that will always be honoured in this country."
Dr. Guthrie blushed and bowed, and put his hand up to his tie nervously.
It was a curious little meeting, this. All three parents were self-conscious and uncomfortable. They would have been antagonistic but for the very true human note that each recognized. They were all reminded of the unpleasant fact that they were in sight of a new and wide cross-road in their lives, along which they were presently to see two of their young people walking away together hand in hand. Parenthood has in it everything that is beautiful, but much that is disappointing and inevitable--much that brings pain and a sudden sense of loneliness.