"Mr. Dwight—my mother—"
He lifted his hat again. Mrs. Groome in her chastened mood regarded him favorably, and for the moment without suspicion. At least he was a gentleman; but who could he be?
"Dwight," she murmured. "I do not know the name. Were you born here?"
"I was born in Utica, New York. My parents came here when I was quite young. We—always lived rather quietly."
"But you go about now? To all these parties?"
"Oh, yes. I like to dance after the day's work. But I am not what you would call a society man. I haven't the time."
Mrs. Groome was not usually blunt, but she suddenly scented danger and she had not fully recovered her poise.
"You are in business?" She disliked business intensely. All gentlemen of her day had followed one of the professions.
"I am in a wholesale commission house. But I hope to be in business for myself one day."
"Ah."