h you would take it," said Romayne. "You would be able
to protect your own money and the investments of your friends. Besides,
I understand the manager is to be a German, which, with a German
secretary, is too much German for my idea."

"Oh, you don't like Switzer, eh? Natural, I suppose. Don't like him
myself; bounder sort of chap--but avoid prejudice, my boy, eh, what?
German--that sort of thing--don't do in this country, eh?
English, Scotch, Irish, French, Galician, Swede, German--all sound
Canadians--melting pot idea, eh, what?"

"I am getting that idea, too," said his brother-in-law. "Sybil has been
rubbing it into me. I believe it is right enough. But apart altogether
from that, frankly I do not like that chap; I don't trust him. I fancy I
know a gentleman when I see him."

"All right, all right, my boy, gentleman idea quite right too--but new
country, new standards--'Old Family' idea played out, don't you know.
Burke's Peerage not known here--every mug on its own bottom--rather
touchy Canadians are about that sort of thing--democracy stuff and all
that you know. Not too bad either, eh, what? for a chap who has got the
stuff in him--architect of his fortune--founder of his own family and
that sort of thing, don't you know. Not too bad, eh, what?"

"I quite agree," cried Jack, "at least with most of it. But all the same
I hope you will take the treasurership. Not only will you protect your
own and your friends' investments, but you will protect the interests of
the Gwynnes. The father apparently is no business man, the son is to
be away; anything might happen. I would hate to see them lose out. You
understand?"

His brother-in-law turned his eyes upon him, gazed at him steadily for
a few moments, then taking his hand, shook it warmly, exclaiming,
"Perfectly, old chap, perfectly--good sort, Gwynne--good family. Girl
of the finest--hope you put it off, old boy. Madame has put me on, you
know, eh, what? Jolly good thing."

"Now what the deuce do you mean?" said Romayne angrily.

"All right--don't wish to intrude, don't you know. Fine girl
though--quite the finest thing I've seen--could go anywhere."

His brother-in-law's face flushed fiery red. "Now look here, Tom," he
said angrily, "don't be an ass. Of course I know what you mean but as
the boys say here, 'Nothing doing!'"

"What? You mean it? Nothing doing? A fine girl like that--sweet
girl--good clean stock--wonderful mother--would make a wife any man
wo