ThefollowingDecember，adayortwobeforeChristmas，Mrs。Fellmerandhersonwerewalkingupanddownthebroadgravelpathwhichborderedtheeastfrontofthehouse。Tillwithinthelasthalf-hourthemorninghadbeenadrizzlingone，andtheyhadjustemergedforashortturnbeforeluncheon。
’Yousee，dearmother，’thesonwassaying，’itisthepeculiarityofmypositionwhichmakesherappeartomeinsuchadesirablelight。
WhenyouconsiderhowIhavebeencrippledatstarting，howmylifehasbeenmaimed；thatIfeelanythinglikepublicitydistasteful，thatIhaveyenopoliticalambition，andthatmychiefaimandhopelieintheeducationofthelittlethingAnniehasleftme，youmustseehowdesirableawifelikeMissHalboroughwouldbe，topreventmybecomingamerevegetable。’
’Ifyouadoreher，Isupposeyoumusthaveher!’repliedhismotherwithdryindirectness。’Butyou’llfindthatshewillnotbecontenttoliveonhereasyoudo，givingherwholemindtoayoungchild。’
’That’sjustwherewediffer。Herverydisqualification，thatofbeinganobody，asyoucallit，isherrecommendationinmyeyes。