"Has he gone back to the telegraph office?"
"No, he says he shan't go back."
"Has he any position?"
"No he is not working just now."
"He is a foolish boy. He will spend the little money he has, and then, when he wants to go back to the telegraph office, they won't receive him."
"I am glad you are on better terms with Mark, Edgar," said Mrs. Talbot regarding her son with unusual favor.
"Don't be influenced too much by what your mother says, Edgar," said his father, "social distinctions must be observed."
For once Edgar was not influenced by what his father said. He was not wholly bad, and Mark's friendly service in rescuing him from the clutches of Hamilton Schuyler had quite changed his feelings towards his cousin. Then the timely loan of five dollars had also its effect.
This was the day for the meeting of the two sisters at Arnold & Constable's. Mrs. Talbot informed her sister of her husband's plan.
"I think Mr. Talbot must be getting along very well," she said. "He told me this morning that he is negotiating for a fine brown stone house on West Forty-Seventh Street. He is to pay forty-five thousand dollars for it."