"I hope," said Mary, "that you aren't going to lend us money without consulting me."
Chef was in a distant corner, quite out of ear-shot. And Mr. Langham, emboldened by one of the most delicious breakfasts he had ever eaten, shot an arch glance at Miss Darling.
"I wouldn't consult you about lending money," he said; "I wouldn't consult you about giving money. But any time you'll let me consult you about sharing money——"
Panic overtook him, and he turned and fled. But upon Mary's brow was no longer any ripple of disappointment—only the unbroken alabaster of smooth serenity. She reached for the household keys and said to herself:
"Maud is a steady girl—even if the rest of us aren't."
She caught a glimpse of herself in the bottom of a highly polished copper utensil and couldn't help being pleased with what she saw.
On the way to the office Mr. Langham fell in with Arthur. This one, Uncas scolding and chatting upon his shoulder, was starting off for a day's botanizing—or dreaming maybe.
"Arthur—one moment, please," said Langham. "As the head of the family I want to consult you about something."
"Yes?" said Arthur sweetly. "Of course, Uncas, you are too noisy." And he put the offended little beast into his green collecting case.
"I never would have come here," said Mr. Langham, "if it hadn't been for that advertisement."