Allen, during the same period, and perhaps because of the same conditions, had grown to regard Covington with even more cordial aversion.  The only positive grievance he had against him was the success he had gained with Alice; but, in an undefined way, he felt instinctively that this man possessed every Machiavellian attribute in the calendar of dishonor.  With an effort to be just, Allen mentally made a generous discount to offset any possible prejudice, but even then Covington measured up shockingly bad.  If Alice had insisted on a proof of the statements he made against him to her, he would have found himself lacking ammunition; when Gorham had asked him point-blank what evidence he had to substantiate his accusations, he had been unable to give any, and this, he realized, had hurt him in the eyes of his chief.

So now the boy proposed to collect evidence, with the self-acknowledged purpose of helping Gorham and of saving Alice, entirely overlooking any personal interest in the undertaking.  Covington’s first overtures came just at this time and were coldly received; but as Allen considered the matter, he concluded that he would learn to “purr” too, taking lessons in this gentle art from the one man whom he acknowledged to be its past master.

Gorham was surprised by the change in their relations as he saw it, and the boy at once rose in his estimation.  Allen had evidently taken to heart the advice given him during their last interview, and had proved himself big enough to rise above his jealousies and his disappointment.  Gorham, guided by Eleanor’s judgment, had refrained even from expressing to Alice his strong desire that she should marry Covington, but with Allen already self-effaced and with Alice accepting Covington’s attentions, even though as yet uncommitted, all was progressing to his satisfaction.

Allen’s duties still took him frequently to the Gorham house, but he saw Alice only casually, as he made no effort to force himself upon her.  She was too much engrossed with the new element which had entered her life to concern herself particularly, but she was negatively grateful to him for not making the present condition unpleasant.  She wanted to keep him as a friend, and told him so frankly, but that could only be so long as he accepted things as he found them.

But any lack of enthusiasm on the part of Alice was more than made up for by Patricia.  She was living on the seventh floor of her seventh heaven.  As she saw it, Alice had acted in the friendliest way possible in giving her a clear field with her Sir Launcelot.  Allen humored her, finding a real relief in this childish game which his little friend took so seriously.  The one drawback was the amount of intimate information which she conveyed through the medium of her innocent prattle.  Allen could not know what was coming next, and so was powerless to head off conversation upon subjects into which he knew he had no right to enter, for Patricia possessed the faculty of keeping herself well informed as to family matters.  It was through this that he secured the first clew upon which to start a real investigation, so he considered the information Heaven-sent, and blessed the child accordingly.