"I'm rather touched by her astuteness," he said. "She's cleverer than I thought. Oh," suddenly remembering that it was not Mrs. Cable's letter they were discussing, "you always see the dreary side of things, Elias."
"I haven't forgotten New York," said the clerk drily.
"Ah, but Chicago isn't New York, you know."
"Well, I was just reminding you. This man is going to fight back, that is plain."
"That's what Mrs. Norwood promised to do, also, Elias. But she was like a lamb in the end."
"I wouldn't be very proud of that affair, if I were you."
"See here, Droom, you're getting a trifle too familiar of late. I don't like it," said Bansemer sharply.
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Bansemer," said Droom, scraping his foot across the floor and looking straight past his master's head. "It's for the good of the cause, that's all. It wouldn't do, on Graydon's account, for you to be driven from Chicago at this time. You see, he thinks you are beyond reproach."
"Curse your impudence, Droom, I won't be spoken to in that way," exclaimed Bansemer, white with sudden rage and loathing.
"Am I to expect my discharge, sir?" asked Droom, rubbing his hands abjectly, but looking squarely into Bansemer's eyes for the first time in their acquaintance. Bansemer glared back for an instant and then shrugged his shoulders with a nervous laugh.
"We shan't quarrel, Elias," he said. "Speaking of Graydon, he is to be married before long."
"I trust he is to do well, sir. Graydon is a fine boy."
"He is to marry David Cable's daughter."
"Indeed? I did not know that David Cable had a daughter."
"You know whom I mean--Jane Cable." He turned rather restlessly, conscious that Droom's eyes were following him to the window. He glanced again at Mrs. Cable's note and waited.
"I suppose you are pleased," said Droom, after a long pause.
"Certainly. Jane is a splendid girl. She's beautiful, accomplished and--well, she's thoroughbred," said Bansemer steadily, turning to face the old man.
"It is not necessary to remind you that she is a child of love," said Droom, "That's the genteel way to put it."
"It's not like you to be genteel, Elias. Still," and he sat down and leaned forward eagerly, "she has good blood from both sides."
"Yes--the so-called best."
"You speak as if you know the truth."
"I think--yes, I'm sure I know. I have known for twenty years, Mr. Bansemer. I had the same means as you of finding out whose child she was."
"That's more than Mrs. Cable knows."
"She did not take the trouble to investigate. It's too late now."