\"AndIshallaskleavetobeabsentfromyourdiscomfiture，mydear，\"answeredherhusband。
Thesonreturnedthatafternoon，andconfessedhissurpriseatfindinghismotherinBoston。Hewassofrankthatshehadnotquitethecouragetoconfessinturnwhyshehadcome，buttrumpedupanexcuse。
\"Well，mother，\"hesaidpromptly，\"IhavemadeanengagementwithMr。Lapham。\"
\"Haveyou，Tom？\"sheaskedfaintly。
\"Yes。ForthepresentIamgoingtohavechargeofhisforeigncorrespondence，andifIseemywaytotheadvantageIexpecttofindinit，IamgoingouttomanagethatsideofhisbusinessinSouthAmericaandMexico。