“Sometimes I think that we fathers are all wrong,” remarked Mr. Denton, after the condolences were over.  “We bind ourselves hand and foot in the bondage of business, and all for what—­our wives and children!  If they needed such a sacrifice we would not begrudge it, but the more they have the more they want, until the head of the family is a mere automaton—­a machine to pamper useless folly.”

This was a lengthy speech for the senior partner to make, as he was naturally a reticent man, who allowed others to do the talking.

“You may be right,” remarked Mr. Day pompously, “still, you must admit that wealth brings advantages even to us who slave—­we can drop business cares and go abroad now and then—­our time is our own beyond a certain figure.”

“I have never reached that figure,” said Mr. Forbes, very dryly, “and further, when I drop the reins the horses run wild, for be as careful as you may in the choice of employees there is never one who will not take advantage of your absence—­the exceptions are so rare that they are scarcely worth mentioning.”

“Well, I for one am getting discouraged,” said Mr. Denton.  “There’s that boy of mine, Jim; how is he repaying my efforts?”

There was no answer to his question, but he did not expect one.  After a moment’s silence he finished his observations.

“If that boy had a million he would spend it in a month, yet no one has ever yet accused him of being vicious.  I’ve set him up in business and everything else—­he’s had money and an example, but with it all, what is he?”

“Perhaps you are not strict enough,” suggested Mr. Day, who was thanking his stars at that moment that he had no children.

“It will take something besides discipline to make a man of Jim.”

Mr. Denton sighed as if he was very unhappy.

“Oh, he’ll marry and settle down some day,” said Mr. Day, laughing.  “When he has a family to support he’ll take life more seriously.”

“I wish he had one,” said Mr. Denton, speaking quickly, “but I hope he’ll marry a working girl and not a ‘society lady.’”

Both of his partners looked up in unfeigned surprise, but it was evident that the words had been said deliberately.

“There’s a girl, a packer, down in the ribbon department.  I’ve only seen her once, but she’s a perfect beauty.  That’s the kind of a girl that would make a good wife; she’s not afraid of work and she’s honestly religious.”

Mr. Forbes and Mr. Day were almost gasping now, but Mr. Denton went right on as though his words were not extraordinary.

“When that Miss Jennings died this girl held her in her arms.  She’s not over seventeen, yet death did not even frighten her.  In that poor girl’s last hour she was her only comfort, and if I ever saw an angel I saw one at that moment.”

Some one tapped on the door, but no one rose to open it.  Mr. Denton waited a moment and then went on with his subject.