"Certainly," said Gerald; "I needed it."

"Oh! if you can afford it, all right. . . . How's the nimble Mr.
Neergard?"

"Neergard is flourishing. We put through that Rose Valley deal. I tell
you what, Austin, I wish you could see your way clear to finance one or
two--"

Austin's frown cut him short.

"Oh, all right! You know your own business, of course," said the boy, a
little resentfully. "Only as Fane, Harmon & Co. have thought it worth
while--"

"I don't care what Fane, Harmon think," growled Austin, touching a
button over his desk. His stenographer entered; he nodded a curt
dismissal to Gerald, adding, as the boy reached the door:

"Your sister expects you to be on hand to-night--and so do we."

Gerald halted.

"I'd clean forgotten," he began; "I made another--a rather important
engagement--"

But Austin was not listening; in fact, he had already begun to dictate
to his demure stenographer, and Gerald stood a moment, hesitating, then
turned on his heel and went away down the resounding marble corridor.