The Fog Princes by Florence Warden

The rain continued to fall in torrents all day long after Rees Pennant's discovery of the mysterious drain. He took Sep Jocelyn home with him, and they waited in fiery impatience for the evening, unable to settle to any occupation or amusement but that of speculating on the marvels they might find. Godwin was away; Hervey was reading in his own room; Deborah was, if the truth must be known, cooking in the kitchen before dinner, brushing Rees's macintosh afterwards. The only person, therefore, who interfered with their excited _tête à tête_ was Mrs. Pennant, who noticed her darling son's restlessness, and was curious as to the cause.

"Well, my little mother," said Rees, throwing his arms around her and giving her a more affectionate hug than he had bestowed upon her of late, "and supposing I tell you that I see a prospect of helping you, of doing more for you than either Godwin the grumpy or Hervey the heroic! What would you say then, mother?"