"I have been thinking about what you tell me of Bess and young Forcus," the father said. "Of course, if there were, by chance, anything in it it would be a very good thing for the girl." "I am glad you see it in that light at last, William. I have always, of course, known that it would be a good thing." "What I have been thinking is, perhaps I had better go and see Francis Forcus about it." "Reggie's brother? Oh, no, William! I would not do that." "And why not, pray? You and I can never look at a thing in the same light for two minutes at a time. If I want to rest on my oars you're badgering me to be up and doing. If I begin to see it's time for me to interfere, it's 'Oh, no, William!' There never was your equal for contradiction." "All the same I should not go to Sir Francis." "And why not? What's your reason? What is there against it? If his brother, who is dependent on him for the present as if he were his son, is going to marry my daughter, he and I will have to talk it over, I suppose?" "Yes. But not until Reggie has spoken to you. At present he has not said a word, except to Bessie. I think Reggie should. I think--" "Never mind what you think. Let's come to facts. Is there or is there not anything serious in this affair?" "Bessie says there is." "Can't you give a plain answer to a plain question? Is young Forcus, who is always hanging about the place, making love to my girl or is he not?" "He has certainly paid her attention." "Is he engaged to her?" "Bessie considers herself engaged. But as I tell Bessie--" "I don't want that. What you think, or what you tell Bessie. I want facts to go upon. Without facts you can't expect me to act." "I really do not wish you to act, William." "Leave that to me. I am not asking what you wish," William snapped at her; and then turning on his side he seemed to go to sleep. CHAPTER II Something Wrong At The Office Mrs. Day had decided to spend the first morning of the New Year in superintending the relaying of the drawing-room carpet and the reducing her house to its habitual order after the dance. Bessie had decided otherwise. She had decided that she should be driven in the carriage, her mother beside her, to some flooded and frozen meadows, three miles out of the town, where many of the young people who had danced last night had arranged to go to skate. Deleah and the boys had started to walk there immediately after breakfast. Bessie, who could not skate, wished to be there also, but did not choose to walk, and could not be allowed to be in the carriage alone.