Henry moved uneasily in his chair.  “But among those who have failed,” he replied, “we often find the highest types of manhood.”

“Nonsense,” rejoined the merchant.  “That is merely a poetic idea.  What do you mean by the highest type of manhood?  Men whose theories have all been proved to be wrong?  Great men have an aim and accomplish it.  America is a great country, and why?  Because it is prosperous.”

“I don’t mean that failure necessarily implies that a man’s aim has been high,” said Henry, “neither do I think that financial success is greatness.  But our views are at variance and I fear that we shall never be able to reconcile them.  I may be wrong, and it is more than likely that I am.  At times I feel that there is nothing in the entire scheme of life.  If a man is too serious we call him a pessimist; if he is too happy we know that he is an idiot.”

“Henry, you are too young a man to talk that way.”

“My son,” said Mrs. Witherspoon, “the Lord has made us for a special purpose, and we ought not to question His plans.”

“No, mother,” Ellen spoke up, “but we should like to know something about that especial part of the plan which relates to us.”

“My daughter, this is not a question for you to discuss.  Your duty in this life is so clearly marked out that there can be no mistake about it.  With my son it has unfortunately been different.”

The girl smiled.  “A woman’s duty is not so clearly marked out now as it used to be, mother.  As long as man was permitted to mark it out her duty was clear enough—­to him.”

“Hum!” Witherspoon grunted, “we are about to have a woman’s advancement session.  Will you please preside?” he added, nodding at Ellen.  She laughed at him.  He continued:  “After a while Vassar will be nothing but a woman’s convention.  Henry, we will go down to-morrow and look after that newspaper.”

CHAPTER XI.

Acknowledged by society.

The politician was surprised.  He had not supposed that any one even suspected that he wanted to get rid of the Star; indeed, he was not aware that the public knew of his ownership of that paper.  It was a very valuable piece of property; but unfortunately his time was so taken up with other matters that he could not give it the attention it deserved.  Its circulation was growing every day, and with proper management its influence could be extended to every corner of the country.  Witherspoon replied that he was surprised to hear that the paper was doing so well.  He did not often see a copy of it.  The politician and the merchant understood each other, and the bargain was soon brought to a close.

And now the time for the reception was at hand.  A florist’s wagon stood in front of the door, and the young man thought, “This is my funeral.”  Every preparation gave him a shudder.  Ellen laughed at him.