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. Cord laid his hand on her shoulder. “Do you think you could demolish Eddie just as well at table, my dear?” he said. “If so, there’s no use in letting the food get cold.” 

 “Oh, she can do it anywhere,” replied Eddie, bitterly, and then, striking his habitual note of warning, he went on, “but, honestly, Crystal, if you had heard what your father and I heard this morning—” 

 “I had a visit from David’s brother this morning,” put in Mr. Cord, “the editor of your favorite morning paper.” 

 “Ben Moreton, here! Oh, father, why didn’t you call me? Yes, I know,” she added, as her father opened his mouth to say that she had left most particular instructions that she was to be allowed to sleep as late as she could, “I know, but you must have known I should have wanted to 

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