"Here, help me out!" Henrietta was flushed with amusement. "He's delivering his whole speech on my head! Oh, I mustn't forget to give you Bill's address." She broke off, fumbling in a pocket of her suit. "Here. Chicago office. A note there will reach him. Aren't you proud of her, Charles?" Henrietta stuck her glasses on the bridge of her nose and stared at Charles. "Just pouncing ahead!"
"Of course Catherine has brains." Charles had withdrawn, his foils sheathed. "Always knew that."
"But these Bureaus and Foundations are so conservative. It's splendid to see them forced into recognition of a woman's ability, I think."
"Their men always seem a little—ladylike." Charles was talking at Catherine, through Henrietta. "Perhaps none of them wished to make a tour of the west this time of year. It isn't my idea of a good time, exactly."
"Don't let him josh you, Catherine!" Henrietta flashed out, warmly.
"Aren't they ladylike? Most of their men not creative enough to make a real place for themselves. They crawl into that snug and safe berth——"
"I've thought the few I've met were much like academic men." Henrietta grinned at her thrust. "Haven't you, Cathy?"
"You see," said Catherine, "Charles disapproves of the whole system, the establishment of a bureau."
"Some one accumulates too much money and looks around for a conspicuous benevolence. Ah, a bureau of investigation! Then some little men hurry in, get jobs poking their noses into various things, and draw down neat salaries out of the surplus money. Mrs. Lynch is pleased. Little men are pleased."
"Why isn't it a good way to get rid of the money?" Henrietta spoke cautiously, as if she suspected traps under the smooth surface.