"In the old way? I would rather be excused."
"No, from what he said, I thought he would like your writing in the editorial page."
Maxwell looked pleased. "Ricker's always been very good, but he has very little influence on the Abstract. He has no money interest in the paper."
Hilary said, with the greatest artfulness, "I wonder he doesn't buy in. I hear it can be done."
"Not by Ricker, for the best of all possible reasons," said Maxwell, with a laugh.
Louise could hardly wait till she had parted from her father and mother before she began on her husband: "You goose! Didn't you see that papa was hinting at buying you a share in the Abstract?"
"He was very modest about it, then; I didn't see anything of the kind."
"Oh, do you think you are the only modest man? Papa is very modest, and he wouldn't make you an offer outright, unless he saw that you would like it. But I know that was what he was coming to, and if you'll let me—"
A sentiment of a reluctance rather than a refusal was what made itself perceptible from his arm to hers, as they hurried along the street together, and Louise would not press the question till he spoke again.
He did not speak till they were in the train on their way home. Then he said, "I shouldn't care to have a money interest in a newspaper. It would tie me up to it, and load me down with cares I should hate. It wouldn't be my real life."