"I'll allow you plenty of time--but a little later. There is a small matter to be set straight. 'Twill take but a few moments." "It's undoubtedly either business or politics, sir," declared Lana, with a fine assumption of parliamentary dignity. "But I have the floor for concerns of my own, and I'll not cede any of my time." "It is hardly business or politics," returned the Senator, gravely. "It concerns a matter of courtesy between guests in my home, and I'm anxious to have the thing straightened out at once. I beg of you, Stewart!" The mayor rose promptly. "I suppose I must consider it a question of privilege and yield," consented Lana, still carrying on her little play of procedure. "But do I have your solemn promise, Senator Corson, that this gentleman will be returned to me by you at the earliest possible moment?" "I promise." "And I want your promise that you will hurry back," said the girl, addressing Stewart. "I'll wait right here!" "But, Lana, remember your duties to our guests," protested her father. "I have been fulfilling them ever since the reception-line was formed." She waved her hand to draw their attention to the distant music. "The guests are having a gorgeous time all by themselves. I'll be waiting here," she warned. "Remember, please, both of you that I am waiting. That ought to hurry your settlement of that other matter you speak of." "I'll waste no time!" Morrison assured her. He marched away with the Senator. In the study Corson took his stand between his two guests. Daunt was bristling; Morrison displayed no emotion of any sort. "Mr. Daunt, I think you'd better state your grievance, as you feel it, so that Mr. Morrison can assure both of us that it arises from a misunderstanding." The banker took advantage of that opportunity with great alacrity. "Now that Senator Corson is present--now that we have a broad-minded referee, Mr. Morrison, I propose to go over that matter of business." "Exactly on the same lines?" inquired Stewart, mildly. "Exactly! And for obvious reasons--so that Corson may understand just how much your attitude hurt my feelings." "Pardon me, Mr. Daunt. I have no time to listen to the repetition. It will gain you nothing from me. My mind remains the same. And Miss Corson is waiting for me. I have promised to return to her as soon as possible." "But it will take only a little while to go over the matter," pleaded Corson. "It will be time wasted on a repetition, sir. I have no right to keep Miss Corson waiting, on such an excuse." "You give me an almighty poor excuse for unmannerly treatment of my business, Morrison," Daunt stated, with increasing ire. "I really must agree in that," chided the Senator. "Sir, you gave your daughter the same promise for yourself," declared Stewart. "Now let's not be silly, Stewart. Lana was playing! You can go right on with her from where you left off."