"Do you know whether Mr. Dieman bears ill-will against him yet?"
"Let me see," said Eli, now in a cogitating tone, still with his chin upon his hands still on top of his cane, but lowering his eyes to the floor; "he never mentioned him but once, and then in connection with—let me see—what?—with your father as secretary, sometime ago—got a phone?" he asked suddenly, now disposed toward being cautiously communicative.
"Yes; do you wish to use it?" asked Edith.
"I would like to before going farther in this talk. Where is it?"
Edith then led the way to the phone room, Eli following, with his hat still on his head, to the disgust even of the servants.
"I wish to be private," he said to Edith and Star, seeing they were inclined to linger near.
"As you wish," they returned, departing and closing the door behind them.
After finishing his phoning, Eli emerged from the room, and strode through the dining room and on through to the drawing room, whistling a ditty, with his plug hat cocked back on his head, swinging his cane round and round, like one out walking for pleasure. He resumed his seat as before, with the ladies as his examiners.
"Well?" said Edith.
"He says he has no ill-will against Mr. Winthrope any more; and requests me to take steps necessary to right any wrong against him. What's your wish?"