Thegeneralsmiledgenially。``IthinkImaysaywithoutconceitthatyouwilllikemeasyouknowmebetter。Ihavenobadhabits——I’vetoomuchregardformyhealthtoover-indulgeorrunloose。InmyboyhooddaysImayhaveputinratheraheavysowingofwildoats’’——thegenerallaughed。Mildredconjuredupthewintriestandfaintestofechoingsmiles——``butthat’sallpast，’’hewenton，``andthere’snothingthatcouldriseuptointerferewithourhappiness。Youarefondofchildren？’’
Apause，thenMildredsaidquiteevenly，``Yes。’’
``Excellent，’’saidthegeneral。``I’llexpectyouandyourmotherandfathertodinnerSundaynight。Isthatsatisfactory？’’
``Yes，’’saidMildred。
Alongishpause。Thenthegeneral：``Youseemtobealittle——afraidofme。Idon’tknowwhyitisthatpeoplearealwaysthatwaywithme。’’Ahalt，togivehertheopportunitytosaytheobviousflatteringthing。