“I don't believe a word of it. You wouldn't dare.”
That she admired and at the same time distrusted was so apparent that he drew a yellow envelope from his pocket and handed it to her.
“This is his latest contribution to the literature of frankness. You see his feelings overflowed so promptly he had to turn loose in good American talk right off the bat. Couldn't wait for the code.”
She read aloud. “Your resignation as General Counsel Transcontinental will be accepted immediately. Turn over papers to Walker and go to the devil.” It was signed “Powers.”
“That's all, is it? No further exchange of compliments,” she wanted to know.
“That's all, except that he is reading my resignation by this time. I sent it two hours ago. In it I tried to convey to him my sense of regret at being obliged to sever business relations owing to the fact that I was about to contract family ties with him. I hoped that he would command me in any way he saw fit and was sorry we couldn't come to an agreement in the present instance.”
“I don't believe you're a bit sorry. Don't you realize what an expensive luxury you're getting in me and how serious a thing it is to cast off heaven knows how many millions?”
“Oh, I realize it!”
“But you expect him to come round when he has had time to think it over?”
“It's hard for me to conceive of anybody not wanting me for a son-in-law,” he admitted cheerfully.