"We take the fees instead," the older man laughed.
"When we can get them. But do you know in what relationship Miss Grover stands to the Tregony family?"
"Not the ghost of an idea. Sir Charles is as close as an oyster on the subject, and as far as I can make out, the girl is not in the habit of talking about herself."
"She's distinctly American," Chester said, thoughtfully.
"And therefore piquant and interesting?"
"I prefer English girls myself; that is, in so far as girls interest me at all."
"You think you are proof against their wiles?"
"I hope I am, though it is a matter on which one does not like to boast."
"Better not," Pendarvis laughed, "better not. I've heard many men boast in my time, and seen them go down like ninepins before the whirlwind of a petticoat."
"It's a bit humiliating, don't you think?"