"Tell us all about it—there, Vick, see if he doesn't put me off with 'Just business, my dear'!"
"It was just business. Steve has declined a good position I made for him, at nearly twice the salary he has ever earned."
"And all those boys to put through college!"
"What was it?" Vickers asked.
Something made Lane unusually communicative,—his irritation with Steve or his wife's taunt.
"Did you ever hear of the Interstate Commerce Commission?" he asked his brother-in-law, in a slightly ironical tone. And he began to state the situation, and stated it remarkably well from his point of view, explaining the spirit of interference that had been growing throughout the country with railroad management, corporation management in general,—its disastrous effect if persisted in, and also "emotionalism" in the press. He talked very ably, and held his wife's attention. Isabelle said:—
"But it was rather fine of Steve, if he felt that way!"
"He's kept his mouth shut fifteen years."
"He's slow, is Steve, but when he sees—he acts!"
Vickers said nothing, but a warm sense of comfort spread through his heart, as he thought, 'Splendid!—she did that for him, Alice.'