“I guess you’re right there,” interposed Ethel. “Kemp has the reputation of being a cold-blooded proposition. And I suppose the great Trenton values his own reputation too much to recommend anything that hasn’t got money in it.”
“Poor foolish men will persist in going into business to make money, not for fun,” Grace replied. “I suppose Gregg and Burley don’t sell insurance just as a matter of philanthropy. Mr. Trenton would soon be out of work if he didn’t have the confidence of the people who hire him. I wouldn’t be so bitter if I were you.”
“I heard you rolling up in an automobile last night,” Ethel persisted. “You seem to be getting the benefit of somebody’s money.”
“Ethel!” cried her mother despairingly.
“Let her rave,” replied Grace calmly. “When Mr. Burley drives Ethel home from the office it’s an act of Christian kindness, but if I get a lift it’s a sin.”
“Mr. Burley,” began Ethel, breathing heavily, “Mr. Burley is the very soul of honor! He wanted to talk to me about some of the work in our Sunday school and hadn’t time to discuss it in the office.”
“Don’t think for a minute I have any objection! If he was just opening up a little flirtation it would be all right with me.”
“How dare you?” cried Ethel, beginning to cry.
“Please, Grace,” began Mrs. Durland, pausing on her way to the kitchen with the coffee pot.
“All right, mother,” said Grace. “I resent just a little bit having Ethel grab all the virtue in the family.”