“It’s a great privilege for a young man like you to know him, Dick, and to have private talks with him and the governor—about subjects of deep importance. The governor is a good deal of a man himself.”
“I am proud to be his son,” declared Dick, meeting Shirley’s eyes unflinchingly.
Shirley was silent for a moment, while Dick whistled a few bars from the latest waltz.
“A captain—a mere captain of the line—is not often plucked out of his post when in good health and standing—after a long leave for foreign travel—and sent away to visit his parents—and help entertain a distinguished Ambassador.”
“Thanks for the ‘mere captain,’ dearest. You needn’t rub it in.”
“I wouldn’t. But you are fair game—for your sister only! And you’re better known than you were before that little supper for the Spanish attaché. It rather directed attention to you, didn’t it, Dick?”
Dick colored.
“It certainly did.”
“And if you should meet Monsieur Chauvenet, who caused the trouble—”
“I have every intention of meeting him!”