Fired by the enthusiasm of his fair vision of a higher journalism, Dr. Surtaine had been walking up and down, enlivening, with swinging arms, the chief points of his Pæan of Policy. Now he dropped into his chair and with a change of voice said:
"Never mind about that retraction, Hal."
"No?"
"No. Forget it. When do you start in work?"
"To-morrow."
"You must save to-morrow evening."
"For what?"
"You're invited to the Festus Willards'. Mrs. Willard was particularly anxious you should come."
"But I don't know them, Dad."
"Doesn't matter. It's about the most exclusive house in town. A cut above me, I can tell you. I've never so much as set foot in it."