"Oh, no; I didn't mean just that. But you know he usually plans all the little details himself, and—"
"And the fact that somebody else plans them is sufficient excuse for a rearrangement. That is one of the penalties he pays for being the big boss," laughed Ford. Since the yesterday was now safely yesterday, and to-day was his own, there was no room for anything but pure joy.
"You are a 'big boss,' too, aren't you?" she said, matching his light-hearted mood.
"I was, in a way, until your uncle came over and eclipsed me."
"And you will be again when Uncle Sidney moves a little farther along in his orbit."
"That remains to be seen. There is yet plenty of time for him to abolish me, permanently, before he goes on his way rejoicing."
"But you are not going to resign, you know," she reminded him.
"Am I not?" Then he took his courage by the proper grip and went on with sudden gravity: "That rests entirely with you."
"Mr. Ford! Aren't you a little unfair?" She did not pretend to misunderstand him.
"I am open to convincement," he affirmed.