Mrs. Gorham smiled as her mind reverted to the afternoon.  “We had a charming ride,” she said.  “Allen has an over-developed bump of humor which encourages him to be irresponsible, but he is a likable boy and I enjoyed him.”

“Probably all he needs is a smaller allowance and a greater necessity.”

“I judge he isn’t likely to get either from his father.  As you know, Mr. Sanford insists on his becoming a diplomat, while he prefers to go into business.  This naturally interested Alice, and they had a most amusing discussion about it.  He really doesn’t know why he prefers business, but Alice has helped him to crystallize his ideas.  In fact, she has quite fired his ambition.  I think you will enjoy your conversation with him at dinner to-night, Robert, for he is really most ingenuous, and a bit of advice from you will help him just now, even if he doesn’t measure up to your standard of business capacity.”

“You think me a stern master, don’t you, Eleanor?” Gorham pressed the hand he held in his.

“It would be unfair to judge him by yourself.  Boys of to-day are not having the early training that fell to your lot, and their latent ability is just that much slower in showing itself.  You see so much of the serious side of life, it will be diverting to hear the frank expressions of one of the younger generation.  I am curious to know what you think of him.”

“I couldn’t take him into the Consolidated Companies,” Gorham said, flatly.

“That isn’t what I mean,” his wife hastened to reply.  “You don’t think this a disregard of your desire not to have me refer to business?”

“No, dear; I understand, and shall be glad to talk with the boy.  I hope you also understand as clearly why I have had to take this seemingly arbitrary position.  My day is filled with problems which require nerve and confidence in my own judgment in order to carry them through.  I must let no one influence this judgment, and even a suggested preference from those I love might do it.  More than this, my brain is clearer each day when I can claim an evening with you and Alice, with no intruding thoughts of business detail.  Now I must send a few telegrams to clear the way for the theatre this evening.  You really want me to go with you?”

“Alice has set her heart on it, and as for me—­well, you know how little any evening means to me unless we are together.”

“Then I will send Riley to see about the seats.”

“But before you do that, I have a complaint to make.”

Gorham smiled at the expression on his wife’s face, half serious, half humorous.

“Who is the culprit?”

“Riley,” she replied.

“Riley?” her husband repeated.  “Good heavens, don’t tell me that you and Riley have been having trouble!”

“Not trouble, exactly; but really, Robert, he treats me as if I were a child.”

“No!” Gorham assumed an incredulity he did not feel.  “Tell me all about it.”