"H'm!" he said thoughtfully. "I seem to have a feeling that he won't bring you such an amazing distance, at that—short time as I have known you. Did you say popovers this morning, Phyllis?"
"Popovers," nodded Phyllis, "and some of Lily-Anna's fresh marmalade."
"An' little dogs!" broke in Philip enthusiastically. "Oh, Father, don't you just love little dogs?"
His mother tried to look troubled.
"Allan, don't you think you could teach Phil, by precept or example, that they really are sausages?" she asked. "The other day at Mrs. Varney's we had them for luncheon, and he said, 'I'd like another pup, please!' And she was shocked to the heart's core."
"It's such a nice convenient name," pleaded Allan. "Joy, I have to waste most of the morning talking over the long-distance 'phone to my lawyer. I shall spend an hour discussing leases, and two more bullying him and his wife into coming out to visit us. You will readily see that I can't entertain my new-found soulmate at the same time. I don't suppose you could offer any suggestions about his amusement?"
"Solitaire," suggested Joy demurely. "Or you might give him a book to read."
Allan threw back his head and laughed.
"Excellent ideas, both!" he said, "and truly original. He shall have his choice!"
"You have the kindest hearts in the world," said Phyllis, summoning the waitress. "Allan, before you finish that million-dollar conversation to Mr. De Guenther, please call me. I want to speak to him a minute, too."