One morning, a few days later, Alice was dusting the sitting room and talking with Mrs. Morton who was seated by the window sewing. Suddenly Mrs. Morton, glancing up, saw a man entering the front gate.
“Why, I do believe it’s Mr. Gassett.”
Alice came to the window to verify the fact.
There was no room for doubt. It was Mr. Gassett ponderously climbing the steps of the terrace.
“Dear me,” said Mrs. Morton, “I suppose he has come about those papers. I do wish Dr. Morton were here. I never could understand business matters. Go to the door, Alice; he is ringing.”
Alice felt a little shaky as she opened the door to confront the family enemy. She was a trifle reassured to discover that Mr. Gassett also looked embarrassed.
“Ah, Alice, how fortunate—you are the very person I wished to see.”
“Will you step into the sitting room, Mr. Gassett?”
“Ah—umm, it is hardly worth while. I can explain my errand here.”
Mr. Gassett was not eager to encounter any member of the Morton family. But Alice was shrewd enough to realize that it would be just as well to have someone else present at this interview so she politely insisted.