And she didn’t want a large place:  flowers and a tennis court, and she’d do the marketing herself when she motored in for him.  Moreover, he was not to be brutally domineering.  He was to curb that tendency in himself, at least now and then, and let her have an opinion or two of her own.  She was nothing but a child, after all; he mustn’t be harsh with her.

He was weak before it.  Once more he opened the closet door, feeling the need for new strength.  A long time he looked into the still face.  He was a king.  Was it strange that a woman had fallen before him?

He reduced the event to its rudiments.  He was the affianced husband of Breede’s youngest daughter, who didn’t believe in long engagements.

The thing was incredible, even as he faced Ram-tah.

How had he ever done it?

“Gee!” he muttered, “how’d I ever have the nerve to do it!”

Ram-tah’s sleeping face remained still.  If the wise and good king knew the answer he gave no sign.

X

“Where maint’nance f’r both roadway an’ ’quipment is clearly surcharged,” Breede was exploding, “extent of excess of maintenance over normal ‘quirements cannot be taken as present earnin’ power, an’ this’ll haf t’ be understood before nex’ meetin’ d’r’ectors—­”

“No need of you making any fuss,” wrote Bean.  “Let Julia do that.  I’m as good a man as anybody if you come right down to it.”

“—­these prior-lien bon’s an’ receiver’s stiff-cuts mus’ natchally come ahead of firs’-mortgage bon’s—­” continued Breede.

“Wouldn’t care if she told you right now over that telephone,” wrote Bean.  “You wouldn’t dare touch me, and you know it.”

Later he wrote “Poor old Pops!” contemptuously, and put an evil sneer upon Breede’s removed cuffs.

At the same time he wished that the flapper and Grandma hadn’t been so set against long engagements.  And how long had they meant?  One day, a week, a month?  Would they have it done the next time they took him out in that car for tea and things?  They were capable of it.  Why couldn’t they be reasonable and let things stay quiet for a while?

And how about that small place with flowers and a tennis court and a motor to go marketing in?  Did they believe he was made of money?  About all he could do was to provide a place big enough for a growing dog.  And Breede, of course, would cast the girl off penniless, as they always did, telling her never to darken his doors again.  And he’d have to find a new job.  Breede wouldn’t think of keeping on the scoundrel who had lured his child away.