"Until you were married. But be of good cheer Steve, I won't leave you until everything is right." Dr. Jim said these last words with a significance which was lost on his listener.
"I thought that your friend Joyce--"
"Oh! he never had a chance. I was a fool to let him hang after Bess. However I found out to-day what she was to me, so it is all right now."
"Bess and Ida are coming over this evening with Frank."
"All the better. I can make my proposal in due form. By the way Steve I am going up Town to-morrow if you can spare me."
"Certainly. But it is not to make arrangements to leave me is it?"
"I should think not! I shall never go till you tell me Steve. No, I am going to see about some business of my own. Well I must dress. I hope you have a good dinner for me. I am very hungry."
"You think of nothing but eating," said Stephen with a laugh.
The dinner gave every satisfaction even to Herrick who was somewhat fastidious. But Ida had seen that a good cook was engaged, and the two men had nothing to complain of. Dinner over, Herrick supported Stephen into the library, and placed him on the sofa. Then he sat beside him and they smoked over their coffee and cognac. "But you must go to bed at half past ten," said Herrick sternly.
"What a tyrant you are Jim. Hark, there are the girls."