"My son will find it a great responsibility."
"Inheriting, as he does, your sense of duty," suggested the philosopher.
"Precisely. Now, I have planned a career for Mark."
There was a faint movement as of a fleeting smile behind Monsieur's well-trimmed moustache. The sharp-eyed lady noticed it, but was not disconcerted.
"I recognize the possibility of my plans coming to naught," she said. "That need not prevent my attempt to realize them. I see but one career open to my son; he must become a statesman."
"In Easthampton?"
"In the United States. It is his country. Pardon me," seeing him about to interpose. "It is not on this point I ask the aid you are willing to accord. That refers to my contemplated operations in Easthampton. It happens, however, that my son's future will depend, in no small measure, upon the enterprises in question. His great need will be identification with local interests, to which end a fixed habitation is necessary. I wish to build a house which will attract attention. To put it bluntly, I intend to advertise my son by means of my house."
"You will extort the sympathetic admiration of your compatriots."
"I shall not be as frank with them as with you. You will know that mere display is not my object."
"Yours merits admiration, even while it extorts regret."