Her son accompanied her to the lift. At the door he kissed her. "This isn't good night, little mother," he said affectionately. "I shall be up in a few minutes."
He watched the slow-rising lift disappear past the top of the door and returned through the almost deserted dining-room to the table where Betty was waiting for him. She was pouring black coffee into two small Sevres cups from a miniature silver coffee urn.
Bob settled himself in his chair and lighted a cigar. The dinner had been a wretched failure, and he felt quite in the mood to give Miss Elizabeth Thompson her lesson.
"Two lumps, please," he said, as Betty prepared to hand him his cup.
The secretary smiled. "That's just what I gave you, Mr. Baxter."
"You have a telepathic mind, Miss Thompson."
Something in his tone caused her to look up quickly.
"Have I? How?"
"How else could you know that I took two lumps?"
"You seem to forget," she replied, "that I have enjoyed the privilege of observing some of your habits at Ipping House. Perhaps you don't remember," she added maliciously; "you were very much occupied."