The politicians are scolding, and the
newspapers are scolding, and most of the fellows I know are scolding.
I believe I've got hold of a great truth--"
"And may I ask what Eddie was scolding about?" asked Crystal, no more
interested in great truths than most of us.
"About you."
Crystal moved her head about as if things had now reached a point
where it wasn't even worth while to be angry. "About me?"
"It seems you're a socialist, my dear. Eddie asked me how long it was
since I had taken an inventory of your economic beliefs. I could not
remember that I ever had, but perhaps you will tell them to me
now. That is," Mr. Cord added, "if you can do it without scolding
me--probably an impossible condition to impose nowadays."
"It's a pity about Eddie," said Crystal, fiercely. "If only stupid
people would be content to be stupid, instead of trying to run the
world--"
"Ah, my dear, it's only stupid people who are under the impression
that they can. Good morning again, Eddie, we were just speaking of
you."
Mr. Cord added the last sentence without the slightest change of tone
or expression as his guest was ushered in by Tomes, who, catching
Crystal's eyes for a more important fact than Eddie's arrival,
murmured that luncheon was served.
"Well, Eddie," said Crystal, and there was a sort of gay vibration in
her whole figure, and her tone was like a bright banner of war, "and
so you came round to complain to my father, did you?"
Mr.
Pages:
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58