could ever cross Betty, or be unkind. It seems
preposterous," he said at last.

"Perhaps it might never seem to you necessary. Peter, boy, listen. You
say: 'She will be myself--my very own.' Now what does that mean? Does
it mean that when you are married, her personality will be merged in
yours, and so you two will be one? If so, you will not be completed
and rounded out, and she will be lost in you. A man does not reach his
full manhood to completion until he has loved greatly and truly, and
has found the one who is to complete him. At best, by ourselves, we
are never wholly man or wholly woman until this great soul completion
has taken place in us. Then children come to us, and our very souls
are knit in one, and still the mystery goes on and on; never are we
completed by being lost--either one--in the will or nature of the
other; but to make the whole and perfect creature, each must retain
the individuality belonging to himself or herself, each to each the
perfect and equal other half."

Peter Junior paused in his walk and stood for a moment looking
down on his mother, awed by what she revealed to him of her inner
nature. "I believe you have done this, mother. You have kept your
own individuality complete, and father doesn't know it."

"Not yet, but my hand will always be in his, and some day he will
know. You are very like him, and yet you understand me as he never
has, so you see how our oneness is wrought out in you. That which you
have in you of your father is good and strong: never lose it. The day
may come when you will be glad to have had such a father. Out in the
world men need such traits; but you must not forget that sometimes it
takes more strength to yield than to hold your own way. Yes, it takes
strength and courage sometimes to give up--and tremendous faith in
God. There! I hear him walking about. Go down and have your talk with
him. Remember what I say, dear, and don't get angry with your father.
He loves you, too."

"Have you said anything to him yet about--me--mother?"

"No. I have decided that it will be better for you to deal with him
yourself--courageously. You'll remember?"

Peter Junior took her again in his arms as she rose and stood beside
him, and kissed her tenderly. "Yes, mother. Dear, good, wise mother!
I'll try to remember all. It would have been easier for you, maybe, if
ever father's mother had said to him the things you have just said to
me."

"Life teaches us these things. If