During the next two weeks Vandover was plunged into the affairs of business for the first time in his life.  It interested and amused him, and he felt a certain self-importance in handling large sums of money, and in figuring interest, rents, and percentages.  Three days after his interview with Mr. Field the sale of his father’s office effects took place, and the consequent five hundred dollars Vandover turned over into the hands of the lawyer, who was already looking for an investment for the eighty-nine hundred.  This matter had given Vandover considerable anxiety.

“I don’t want anything fancy,” he said to Field.  “No big per cents. and bigger risks.  If I’ve got to live economically I want something that’s secure.  A good solid investment, don’t you know, with a fair interest; that’s what I’m looking for.”

“Yes,” answered the lawyer grimly; “I’ve been looking for that myself ever since I was your age.”

They both laughed, and the lawyer added:  “Has Brunt found a tenant for the California Street house yet?  No?  Well, perhaps you had better keep that five hundred for your running expenses until he does.  It will probably take some time.”

“All right,” answered Vandover.  “There were a couple of women up to look at the place yesterday, but they wanted to use it for a boarding-house.  I won’t hear to that.  Brunt says they would ruin it, dead sure.”

“I suppose you are looking around, yourself, for rooms?” inquired Mr. Field.  “Have you found anything to suit you?”

“No,” answered Vandover, “I have not.  I don’t like the idea of living in one of the downtown hotels, and as far as I have looked, the uptown flats are rather steep.  However, I haven’t gone around very much as yet.  I’ve been so busy.  Oh, how about the paving of the street in front of those Bush Street houses of mine?  Brunt says that the supervisors have passed a resolution of intention to that effect.  Now shall I let the city contractor have the job or give it to Brunt’s man?”

“Better let the city people do it,” advised Field.  “They may charge more, but you needn’t pay them for a long time.”

By the end of three weeks Vandover had sickened of the whole thing.  The novelty was gone, and business affairs no longer amused him.  Besides this, he was anxious to settle down in some comfortable rooms.  It was now the middle of winter and he had determined that it was not the season for a European trip.  He would wait until the summer before going to Paris.

Little by little Vandover turned over the supervision and management of his affairs and his property to Adams & Brunt, declaring that he could not afford to be bothered with them any longer.  This course was much more expensive and by no means so satisfactory from a business point of view, but Vandover felt as though the loss in money was more than offset by his freedom from annoyance and responsibility.