MARTA. [With the hopeless sorrow of the old, as she passes off.] Poor child ... poor child.

PETER.  Give Katie more freedom, eh?  Oh, no!  I shall guard her as I would guard my own, for she is as dear to me as though she were mine, and, by marriage, please God, she shall be a Grimm in name.

JAMES.  Mr. Grimm, I—­I wish you would transfer me to your branch house in Florida.

PETER.  What?  You who were so glad to come back!  James, you need a holiday.  Close your desk.  Go out and busy yourself with those pet vegetables of yours.  Change your ideas; then come back sane and sensible, and attend to your work. [Giving a last shot at JAMES as he passes into the office and FREDERIK re-enters.] You don’t know what you want!

FREDERIK. [Looking after JAMES.] Uncle Peter, when I came in this morning, I made up my mind to speak to you of James.

PETER.  James?

FREDERIK.  Yes, I’ve wondered lately if ... it seems to me that James is interested in Catherine.

PETER.  James?  Impossible.

FREDERIK.  I’m not so sure.

PETER. [Good-naturedly.] James?  James Hartman?

FREDERIK.  When I look back and remember him as a barefoot boy living in a shack behind our hot-houses—­and see him now—­in here with you—­

PETER.  All the more credit, Frederik.

FREDERIK.  Yes; but these are the sort of fellows who dream of getting into the firm.  And there are more ways than one.

PETER.  Do you mean to say—­He wouldn’t presume to think of such a thing.

FREDERIK.  Oh, wouldn’t he!  The class to which he belongs presumes to think of anything.  I believe he has been making love to Catherine.

PETER. [After a slight pause, goes to the dining-room door and calls.]
Katie!  Katie!

FREDERIK. [Hastily.] Don’t say that I mentioned it. [CATHERINE enters.

PETER.  Katie, I wish to ask you a question.  I—­[He laughs.]
Oh, it’s absurd.  No, no, never mind.

CATHERINE.  What is it?

PETER.  I can’t ask you.  It’s really too absurd.

CATHERINE. [Her curiosity aroused.] What is it, Uncle?...  Tell me ... tell me....

PETER.  Has James ever—­

CATHERINE. [Taken back and rather frightened—­quickly.] No....

PETER.  What?...  How did you know what I ... [FREDERIK gives her a shrewd glance; but PETER, suspecting nothing, continues.] I meant ... has James shown any special interest in you?

CATHERINE. [As though accepting the explanation.] Oh ... [Flurried.] Why, Uncle Peter!...  Uncle Peter!... whatever put this notion into your head?

PETER.  It’s all nonsense, of course, but—­

CATHERINE.  I’ve always known James....  We went to school together....  James has shown no interest he ought not to have shown, Uncle Peter,—­if that’s what you mean.  He has always been very respectful in a perfectly friendly way.