He was suddenly conscious that Al Schimpf had ceased domineering Essie.  The lawyer swung about, facing them with an expression of commonplace satisfaction.  “It’s all in fine order,” he declared.  “I want, if possible, to study our jury through a preliminary case or so.  We shall, of course, surrender our client at once, without making any difficulty about moving her from one police district to another.  I can produce a witness to the fact that this Culser openly said that he expected shortly to come into more money.  And he had dishonoured debts all about.  You will have to appear, Mr. Penny; no way out of that, but our defence should go like a song.  Now, Mrs. Scofield, I have a carriage outside.”

When they had gone Jasper Penny and Jannan sat in a lengthening silence.  Stephen’s hand moved among the papers on the table; the other drew a deep breath.  “I regret this tremendously for you,” Stephen Jannan said at last.  He spoke with feeling; his momentary anger at the entanglement of Susan vanished.  “But it will pass, Jasper.  You are too solid a man to be hurt permanently by private scandal.  And you have no concrete political position to invite mud slinging.  Yes, it will drop out of mind, and your iron will continue to support enterprise, extension.”

“But Susan,” Jasper Penny demanded, “what about her?  Where is she?”

“With Graham at Shadrach.  She was badly torn, and I insisted on her retreating for a week or more.  There is a very capable assistant at the Academy.  It’s too early to speak conclusively, but I am afraid that Susan’s usefulness is ended there.  Have you seen the cheaper sheets?  Every one, of course, is buying them.  Rotten!  The assistant, I understand, is anxious to procure the school, and I am considering allowing her the capital.  Something might be arranged paying Susan an income....  If she would accept; confoundly difficult to come about.”

“I am going to marry her,” Jasper Penny asserted once more.

“What was the initial trouble?” the other asked, tersely.

“Essie.”  Stephen frowned.

“She would hit on that,” he agreed; “stand until the last gasp of some fantastic conception of right.”

Jasper explained: 

“She thinks I ought to marry Essie, mostly on account of the child.  She likes me, too, Stephen; I think I may tell you that.  Well, I’ll keep at her and at her.  In the end she will get tired of refusal.”  The other shook his head doubtfully.  “I’ve known Susan a good many years, and I have never seen her lose an ideal, or even an idea, yet.”

Jasper Penny rose.  “Meanwhile I’ll have to go through with this trial.  Thank God, Susan has no part in it.”  He warmly gripped Stephen’s palm.  “You’re worth something in a life, immovable.  Thank you, Stephen.”

XXII