"Don’t mention it. You deserve it. Your increase of salary will commence on New Year’s Day. And now, Mr Maybury, we will turn to another topic. There has for some time been a little affair--a little love-making--between two young people we both know very well. I have known, of course, that my son Harold was paying attentions to your daughter; he has spoken of her--in fact, he has shown me her photograph. She is, if I may say so, a very charming young lady, and I hope to have the--er--pleasure of making her acquaintance quite shortly. In fact, I trust that Mrs Maybury and yourself will bring Miss--er--Flora----" "Dora," corrected Mr Maybury, with a slight smile. "_Dora_! Pardon my mistake! Yes, I trust you will all three come and dine with Harold and myself at an early date. I--er--I had no idea that Harold contemplated matrimony--ahem!--quite so soon, but I shall be glad to see him settle down, as he has hitherto been a little restless--a little--ahem!--a little irregular in his habits. So I am not displeased at this--er--this approaching union." "I am glad to hear that it meets with your approval, sir." Mr Jefferson drummed thoughtfully on the table with his fingers. For a long time he had been dissatisfied with his son’s conduct, and the news of the latter’s matrimonial intentions had come as an immense relief to the worried parent. "I do not think I need keep you any longer, Mr Maybury," said the stockbroker, at length; "er--we shall no doubt see a little more of each other in--er--in future." Mr Maybury rose from his chair with a curiously determined look on his face. He had fully made up his mind on a certain matter that had dawned upon him during the latter part of this short interview. "I wish to ask you one question, sir," he said, "before I definitely accept your proffered increase of salary." "Certainly, certainly," said the other. "What is it?" "I wish to ask you, as man to man, and not as servant to employer, whether your son’s forthcoming marriage with my daughter has anything to do with your proposed doubling of my salary?" The stockbroker frowned. "That, Mr Maybury," he replied, "is entirely my business. It is sufficient for you to know that I have decided to enlarge your stipend by the amount I have named." "I wish you to answer my question, sir," said Mr Maybury, firmly. "And I decline to answer it," returned the other, his previously urbane manner vanishing as he spoke. "Then, sir, I shall take it that I am correct in my assumption--that you are making this increase solely because you wish me to occupy a better position in the world than my present salary enables me to hold." "And supposing it _were_ that?" demanded the stockbroker, roughly. "Do you mean to say you will refuse such an offer?" "I do, sir. I absolutely decline this increase of salary. I will take what I earn, and not a penny more." So saying, with a slight bow, Mr Maybury turned on his heel and left the room.