That evening Richard had for guest at dinner Mr. Willis Rodman; so that gentleman named himself on his cards, and so he liked to be announced. Mr. Rodman was invaluable as surveyor of the works; his experience appeared boundless, and had been acquired in many lands. He was now a Socialist of the purest water, and already he enjoyed more of Mutimer’s intimacy than anyone else. Richard not seldom envied the easy and, as it seemed to him, polished manner of his subordinate, and wondered at it the more since Rodman declared himself a proletarian by birth, and, in private, was fond of referring to the hardships of his early life. That there may be no needless mystery about Mr. Rodman, I am under the necessity of stating the fact that he was the son of a prosperous railway contractor, that he was born in Canada, and would have succeeded to a fortune on his father’s death, but for an unhappy _contretemps_ in the shape of a cheque, whereof Mr. Rodman senior (the name was not Rodman, but the true one is of no importance) disclaimed the signature. From that day to the present good and ill luck had alternated in the young man’s career. His fortunes in detail do not concern us just now; there will be future occasion for returning to the subject. ‘Young Eldon has been in Wanley to-day,’ Mr. Rodman remarked as he sat over his wine after dinner. ‘Has he?’ said Richard, with indifference. ‘What’s he been after?’ ‘I saw him going up towards the Walthams’.’ Richard exhibited more interest. ‘Is he a particular friend of theirs?’ he asked. He had gathered from Alfred Waltham that there had been a certain intimacy between the ‘two families, but desired more detailed information than his disciple had offered. ‘Well, he used to be,’ replied Rodman, with a significant smile. ‘But I don’t suppose Mrs. W. gave him a very affectionate reception to-day. His little doings have rather startled the good people of Wanley, especially since he has lost his standing. It wouldn’t have mattered much, I dare say, but for that.’ ‘But was there anything particular up there?’ Mutimer had a careworn expression as he asked, and he nodded his head as if in the direction of the village with a certain weariness. ‘I’m not quite sure. Some say there was, and others deny it, as I gather from general conversation. But I suppose it’s at an end now, in any case.’ ‘Mrs. Waltham would see to that, you mean?’ said Mutimer, with a short laugh. ‘Probably.’ Rodman made his glass revolve, his fingers on the stem. ‘Take another cigar. I suppose they’re not too well off, the Walthams?’ ‘Mrs. Waltham has an annuity of two hundred and fifty pounds, that’s all. The girl--Miss Waltham--has nothing.’ ‘How the deuce do you get to know so much about people, Rodman?’ The other smiled modestly, and made a silent gesture, as if to disclaim any special abilities. ‘So he called there to-day? I wonder whether he stayed long?’ ‘I will let you know to-morrow.’