"Mrs. Wellington?" he said. "I had an idea I should have to see Mr. Wellington."
"By no means," asserted the secretary. "Wait a moment, please."
In a few minutes the young woman returned and nodded.
"Will you come with me, please?"
She led the way up a winding pair of stairs and down a long hall with heavy crimson carpet, turning into a room near the rear of the house. Mrs. Wellington was at her desk looking over a menu which the housekeeper had just submitted. She glanced up as the two entered, her face unchanging in expression.
"This is Mr. McCall," said the secretary, who without further words went to her desk and unlimbered the typewriter.
As Mrs. Wellington brought Armitage under her scrutiny, which was long, silent, and searching, he felt as he did upon his first interview with the Secretary of the Navy. However, no one had ever accused him of lack of nerve.
"You apply for the position of physical instructor to my sons," she said at length. "How did you know we wanted one?"
Armitage, caught for the instant off his guard, stammered.
"I—at least Miss—I mean I read it in one of the papers."