“Nonsense, Mr. Middleton! Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“It’s about Tom.”

“What’s he done?” asked the lady eagerly. “Anything bad?”

“I should say it would be bad for him—and for us too.”

“Do tell me, Mr. Middleton, without beating around the bush all day.”

“Then this is the long and short of it—he’s lost his fortune.”

“Good gracious! How!”

“Bad investments. It’s a pity the money hadn’t been placed in my hands.”

“Has he lost forty thousand dollars?” ejaculated the lady.

“All but a few hundred dollars.”