“Lovely as ever,” he answered.
“Did you have a good time?” she inquired.
“I enjoyed it immensely. I never had a better one.”
“You probably were in good company,” she said significantly. Then she added: “I believe Miss Rossmore was in Paris.”
“Yes, I think she was there,” was his non-committal answer.
To change the conversation, which was becoming decidedly personal, he picked up a book that was lying on his father's desk and glanced at the title. It was “The American Octopus.”
“Is father still reading this?” he asked. “He was at it when I left.”
“Everybody is reading it,” said Kate. “The book has made a big sensation. Do you know who the hero is?”
“Who?” he asked with an air of the greatest innocence.