name a definite sum, just for the fun of seeing how he would wriggle out
of it afterwards.

"I'm tremendously interested in the Works, you know," the man rushed on,
quite as if he found encouragement in her reply, "because I have so many
friends who work there. It's to gratify my peace of mind, just to know
that they have--everything they need. As I say, I happen to--to have a
sort of fund--a little public fund, you might say--for--for purposes of
the kind. And the idea of outside coöperation in such a matter is a
perfectly sound one, as you doubtless know, a--a sound, advanced
socialistic idea. It's simply the community acknowledging some
responsibility where it already claims the right to regulate ..."

At this point her stare seemed to penetrate him with a doubt, and he
said, with the air of having skipped hastily and turned back:

"I mustn't detain you now to give the full argument, of course, but I
assure you the idea is sound and--mutually beneficial, as I believe.
Unfortunately," he added, with a certain embarrassment, "I don't know
your father."

"Tell me," said Carlisle, feeling an excitement mounting within her,
"how is it that you are always thinking up these plans for doing good to
other people?"

Before Dr. Vivian could meet this poser, the front door opened with a
bang, and a youngish man in a wet yellow raincoat came striding rapidly
across the court toward them. He was a powerfully built man with a
blue-tinged chin, and wore the air of a person of authority.