a bad judge of the capacities of men, conceived a high idea of Philip’s single-mindedness, of his integrity and general culture, and, as well, of his agreeableness (for Philip had a certain charm where he felt at ease), while at the same time he discovered that his mind was more upon something else than law, and that, if his success in his profession depended upon his adoption of the business methods of the Street, he could not go very far.  Consequently he did not venture upon the same confidences with him that he habitually did with Mr. Sharp.  Yet, business aside, he had an intellectual pleasure in exchanging views with Philip which Mr. Sharp’s conversation did not offer him.

When, therefore, Mrs. Mavick came to consult her husband about the list for the coming-out reception of Evelyn, Philip found a friend at court.

“It is all plain enough,” said Carmen, as she sat down with book and pencil in hand, “till you come to the young men, the unattached young men.  Here is my visiting-list, that of course.  But for the young ladies we must have more young men.  Can’t you suggest any?”

“Perhaps.  I know a lot of young fellows.”

“But I mean available young men, those that count socially.  I don’t want a broker’s board or a Chamber of Commerce here.”

Mr. Mavick named half a dozen, and Carmen looked for their names in the social register.  “Any more?”

“Why, you forgot young Burnett, who was with you last summer at Rivervale.  I thought you liked him.”

“So I did in Rivervale.  Plain farmer people.  Yes, he was very nice to us.  I’ve been thinking if I couldn’t send him something Christmas and pay off the debt.”

“He’d think a great deal more of an invitation to your reception.”

“But you don’t understand.  You never think of Evelyn’s future.  We are asking people that we think she ought to know.”

“Well, Burnett is a very agreeable fellow.”

“Fiddlesticks!  He is nothing but a law clerk.  Worse than that, he is a magazine writer.”

“I thought you liked his essays and stories.”

“So I do.  But you don’t want to associate with everybody you like that way.  I am talking about society.  You must draw the line somewhere.  Oh, I forgot Fogg—­Dr. LeRoy Fogg, from Pittsburg.”  And down went the name of Fogg.

“You mean that young swell whose business it is to drive a four-in-hand to Yonkers and back, and toot on a horn?”

“Well, what of that?  Everybody who is anybody, I mean all the girls, want to go on his coach.”

“Oh, Lord!  I’d rather go on the Elevated.”  And Mavick laughed very heartily, for him.  “Well, I’ll make a compromise.  You take Fogg and I’ll take Burnett.  He is in a good firm, he belongs to a first-rate club, he goes to the Hunts’ and the Scammels’, I hear of him in good places.  Come.”

“Well, if you make a point of it.  I’ve nothing against him.  But if you knew the feelings of a mother about her only daughter you would know, that you cannot be too careful.”