The Substitute Millionaire — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Substitute Millionaire
John Stuart Mill · en
Nov. 27th: M.'s heart is set on having a mansion on upper Fifth avenue,
whence she can institute a social campaign. When she is not at the
dressmaker's she is being taken around to see such places. The
servility of the well-dressed young real estate agents delights her.
She gives Bobo no peace on the subject, but I believe he has avoided
committing himself as yet. As she has me fussing over her clothes or
her hair almost every moment that she is at home, I hear most of their
conjugal discussions.
Nov. 28th: The new secretary came to-day. I dislike him intensely.
His name is Leroy Chalfonte. He is a handsome young fellow in a
brutal, scornful way, the type that makes fools of many silly women.
His manners are superficially good enough, but he doesn't trouble to
hide the sneer. I gather that he and Miriam spend the afternoons in
the tango parlors. He is covertly insolent to Bobo, who dares not call
him down.
* * * * *
Dec. 5th: This is no easy job to hold. M.'s method with servants seems
to be that of certain misguided parents with their offspring. I
believe it is called "breaking their spirit." When she gets up in a
bad temper, positively nothing that I can do pleases. The more patient
and willing I am, the greater offense it is. I have found it better to
be a little impudent at such times. She expects it, and she can then
abuse me with a better face. Sometimes I am sorry for the poor
creature. She has never known a moment's real happiness, I am sure.
You would think that now she would feel as if her ambition was
realized, but no! Mercer's have a pearl necklace worth a hundred and
fifty thousand, and she can think of nothing else. I hope you have
taken precautions against Bobo's attempting to gratify any such whim.
* * * * *
Dec. 11th: Yesterday Miriam had a talk with somebody over the
telephone. She used the instrument in her boudoir. I had a perfectly
natural excuse to enter the room while she was talking, but she ordered
me out. I made out this much. That somebody was insisting on
something that she objected to--somebody that she was in awe of.
Thinking perhaps of the danger of somebody listening in, she made a
date to continue the talk from an outside 'phone.
This last entry on Kate's report was dated only the day before. Since
her communication gave Jack nothing to go on, all he could do was to
wait until he heard from her again. She would learn of the arrival of
the _Lobos_ from the newspapers, and would without doubt call him up at
his hotel at the first opportunity.
At nine o'clock that night Jack got his call, and heard the voice that
was dearest to him.
"Jack!"
"Kitty, dearest!"
"Oh, my dear, it's so good to hear you! Are you quite well?"
"Right as a trivet! And you?"
"Oh, I'm well. But I can't stand that woman much longer!"
"Poor Kitty! I know. Where are you 'phoning from?"
"Booth in a drug-store."
"Is it safe?"