Armorer no longer checked his sense of humor.  “No, Mr. Lossing,” he answered, sedately, “I should have respected the old gentleman’s wishes and voted any way he pleased.”  He held out his hand.  “I guess Esther thinks you are the coming young man of the century; and to be honest, I like you a great deal better than I expected to this morning.  I’m not cut out for a cruel father, Mr. Lossing; for one thing, I haven’t the time for it; for another thing, I can’t bear to have my little girl cry.  I guess I shall have to go to Europe without Esther.  Shall we go in to the ladies now?”

Harry wrung the president’s hand, crying that he should never regret his kindness.

“See that Esther never regrets it, that will be better,” said Armorer, with a touch of real and deep feeling.  Then, as Harry sprang up the steps like a boy, he took out the note-book, and smiling a smile in which many emotions were blended, he ran a black line through

“See abt L.”