orimer hopped in, if that word may be used to express his eager
acceptance rather than the alacrity of his movements, for he was
accustomed to act with as much deliberation as he spoke. He was one of
Richard's college friends, also one of his late intimate companions at
clubs and in social affairs. Lorimer possessed as much money in his own
right as Richard himself, though his expectations were hardly as great.

"To tell the truth," said Lorimer, when the car had left the city and
was bowling along the main travelled highway "up the State," "I wanted
to see you as much as anything to get a good look at you. Fellows say
you've changed. Say you have that 'captain-of-industry' expression now.
Say you've acquired that broad brow--alert eye--stern mouth--dominant
chin--and so forth, that goes with indomitable determination to 'get
there.' To be sure, I'd have thought you'd arrived, or your family
before you, but they say you've started out to arrive some more. It's a
wonderful example for a chap like me--fellows say. Think so myself. Mind
imparting--"

Richard broke in on Lorimer's drawl. It was rather an engaging drawl, by
the way, and he had always enjoyed hearing it, but it struck upon his
ears now with a certain futility. In a world of pressing affairs why
should a man cultivate a tone like that? But he liked Lorimer too much
to mind how he talked.

"I'm delighted if I've acquired that expression," said he, letting out
the car another notch, although it was already in swift flight. "It's
been a lot of trouble. I've had to practise before a mirror a good deal.
It was the chin bothered me most. It sticks out pretty well, but not as
far as my grandfather's. Could you advise any method of--"

"What I want to know is," proceeded Lorimer calmly, "how you came to go
into it. Understand you wanted to help fellow out of the ditch--good old
Benson--most worthy. Couldn't help him out without getting in yourself?
But going to get out soon as possible, of course? Unthinkable for Rich
Kendrick to be a country shopkeeper!"

"Unthinkable, is it? Wait till you see the shop. It's the most fun I
ever had. Get out? Not by a long shot. I'm in for keeps."

"Not you. With the Kendrick establishments waiting for you to come into
your own? Which will mean, in your case, becoming the nominal head of a
great system, while it continues to be run for you, as now, by a lot of
trained heads under salary--big salary."

"Great idea of my future y