“Very glad to see you, Duncan,” he said warmly. “Nobody’s home but myself, so come into the Judge’s den; we can talk undisturbed there.”
“I was detained in reaching here. I wanted particularly to see you alone. I had to drop Janet at home first; she went out with me to try my new roadster,” explained Duncan, following Potter into the cozy room which Judge Walbridge used as his sanctum sanctorum. “Mother wishes to know if you will dine informally with us tonight; only a few friends are coming in.”
“I shall be delighted to. It happens that Judge and Mrs. Walbridge are dining out, an engagement they made before I came, so I shall not upset any of their plans,” replied Potter. “Come over here to the light and let me get a good look at you,” indicating a seat by the window. “Um, a clear bill of health”—inspecting him carefully.
“Only older than when you saw me last,” smiled Duncan, “and wiser.”
“Perhaps,” dryly, noting the unusual lines about Duncan’s eyes and mouth. “And does wisdom bring happiness?”
“Don’t know,” with unusual abruptness. “It’s good to see you again, Paul; where have you been since I left you in South America?”
“Knocking about the world. The wanderlust is ruining me, Duncan; I cannot make up my mind to seriously sit down in San Francisco and resume my practice.”
“As you are called in consultation by other physicians in every State of the Union, I’m not worrying about your financial condition,” retorted Duncan, examining the famous alienist carefully in his turn. “I’m much more concerned over your health—how are you these days?”
“Splendid, never felt better.” Six years before Paul Potter had suffered a severe nervous breakdown from overwork, and he had accompanied Duncan on a trip to China, where the latter went to attend to some business for his father, who was one of the largest importers from that country. Potter was some fifteen years Duncan’s senior, but they were congenial in their tastes, and after a year’s sojourn in China had, on their return, traveled together in other countries. “Are you still as confirmed a bachelor as ever, Duncan? Or is there a ‘not impossible she’ in the background?”
“Still a bachelor,” admitted Duncan. “I am doubly glad to have you in Washington now on my mother’s account.”