“As you wish, Mr. Gorham,” he replied, as they separated, and he directed his steps toward the hotel.

“Does he think me a fool?” he said, petulantly, to himself.  “Why should he always hold himself above the rest of us?  I’m working for the Companies just as he is, and there is no reason why he should try that bluff with me.  ’When this double purpose can no longer be served the Consolidated Companies must cease to exist.’  Bah!  I can see the shearing ahead of us as well as he can, and he won’t gain anything by trying to assume the role of the Almighty, leaving us to be the wicked partners.”

He showed no evidences of his ruffled feelings when he reached the hotel.  Alice was expecting him, but she was in ignorance as to the nature of his errand.

“We are to have our first lesson this morning,” he announced.

“First lesson in what?” was the surprised inquiry.

“In business and finance,” Covington enlightened her, smiling.  “Your father has given me the privilege of helping you manage your first business enterprise.  A part of one of the concerns recently assimilated by the Consolidated Companies is a prosperous mail-order department which we intend to continue, for a time at least.  Your father’s instructions are that all the mail shall be brought to you each morning by a stenographer, who will receive your dictation and bring the letters back to you in the afternoon for your approval and signature.  For a time I will give you such advice as you need, and later you will have matters entirely in your own hands as long as you wish to remain manager of the department.  How do you like the idea?”

“It is perfectly splendid,” Alice cried, her eyes sparkling.  “When am I to begin ?”

“I will explain some of the details to you now,” Covington answered, drawing a package of papers from his pocket.  “You must make yourself perfectly familiar with these, and we will take the business up seriously when you return to New York.”

“Why did father do this?” the girl demanded, suddenly.

Covington was surprised.  “Isn’t it something you wanted?” he asked.

“More than anything else in the world, but father never seemed to realize it.  If I can only do something to help, and feel myself accomplishing no matter how little, I shall be the happiest girl in the world.”

“Others who are not so wholly engrossed have seen what you wanted, Miss Alice.  Perhaps you have them to thank in part.”

“I do thank you, Mr. Covington, and it is good of you to take all this trouble to teach me how to do it,” she said, gratefully.  “I know how valuable your time is, and how much it must interfere with your work to gratify this desire of mine which probably seems foolish to you all.”

“Such an experience is of value to any girl, but especially to you who are in the dangerous position of being threatened with large interests to look after; and as for me, I shall consider this as one of the pleasantest of my daily duties.”