as she would have called them, were refreshing.  She knew that each was being benefited by coming in contact with a different nature.  Alice’s serious side needed the leaven of a lighter viewpoint on life; Allen’s buoyancy was already being tempered by her ambition.  This was why, when Alice asked her later, in their apartment, “Don’t you think Allen needs a little of that ‘inspiration’ you spoke of?” she had kissed the girl, and answered without hesitation, “Yes, dear; and you are just the one to give it to him.”

“Then this is my chance to enter business by proxy?” Alice asked again; and Mrs. Gorham, smiling quietly to herself, had answered, “Perhaps.”

IV

After his interview with Senator Kenmore, Gorham walked rapidly down the slight incline from the Senators’ office building to the hotel, where the clerk passed out to him a handful of letters and telegrams.  In the lobby, unseasonably crowded by the extra session of Congress, he nodded cordially to three or four men who obviously courted recognition, and ascended in the elevator to his apartment.

“You don’t know Gorham?” queried one of the men, turning to his friend—­“wonderful man, wonderful organizer, head of the great Consolidated Companies.  Thought the Consolidated Companies a myth?  Well, well!  That’s a great compliment to the man and his methods.  You’ll know both well enough before long.  But that’s characteristic of Gorham—­moves along so quietly that you think he’s doing nothing; then you wake up and find that his corporation has tucked away a big government contract you thought you’d tied up yourself.  Better keep your eye on Gorham and the Consolidated Companies.”

“There you are, daddy!” cried a welcoming voice as Gorham threw open the door, the words being quickly followed by a rustle of skirts and an enthusiastic embrace.  “I’m so glad you’re back early.  You know Allen is coming to dinner, and couldn’t we all go to the theatre afterward?”

Alice released her father partially, but still held one of his hands in each of her own.  Hat, letters, and telegrams had already fallen in confusion upon the floor, as the result of the girl’s onslaught.  She caught the look, half amusement, half dismay, upon his face.

“Never mind, daddy dear,” she continued, reassuringly; “I’ll pick them all up in a moment.  You will go with us to the theatre, won’t you?”

Gorham looked significantly at the telegrams and the letters on the floor.

“Let me see,” he said, doubtfully.  “I really ought to work on these papers after dinner.  How can I do that and go with you, Puss?  There’s a problem for you!—­unless I could use Riley for a secretary,” he continued, jocosely.  “That’s the only capacity he hasn’t served in.  Where is he, anyway?”

“Couldn’t I help you?” she asked, quickly, without answering his question.  “You don’t know how much I’d like to.  And I’m sure I could,” she added, with confidence.