will meet next Monday."

"Ah! I had quite forgotten it. Time does fly, sir."

"Yes, and circumstances change, and men bow to circumstances."

"You are quite right, Mr. Lyman. And that reminds me that I have been
forced through a change concerning Mr. Sawyer. I honor him on some
grounds, you understand, but his confession of drunkenness shocked me
greatly. In fact, sir, I am glad he did not marry my daughter."

"When I spoke of the meeting of the court," said Lyman, pretending to
have paid no attention to McElwin's remark concerning Sawyer, "I
wished to remind you of the petition for divorce."

"Yes, quite right," McElwin replied, uncrossing his legs and putting
out his hand as if unconsciously feeling for his dignity, to pull it
back to him.

"Is the paper which your daughter signed here or at your home?"

"At home, I think; yes, I am quite sure of it."

"Then would you mind walking up there with me so that I may sign it?"

"Why--er, not at all, sir, but we have plenty of time."

"No," Lyman insisted, "it is better to have it over with; and I ask
your pardon for not having signed it sooner."

The banker got up, took down his hat, brushed it with the sleeve of
his coat and announced his readiness to go. Together they walked out.
Lyman assumed an unwonted gaiety. He commented humorously upon the
tradesmen standing in their doors. The banker strove to laugh, but his
heart was not in the effort. "Yes, sir," said he, "things change and
women change, too. And I may make bold to say that my daughter--and my
wife, sir--are not exceptions to the--er, rule."

"I don't quite understand," said Lyman.

"I mean, sir, that what at one time might have been distasteful may
have become a--er--matter of endearment, you understand."

"I don't know that I do," the cruel tormenter replied.

"A woman's nature is a peculiar thing--a romantic thing, I might
almost say. My daughter is strangely influenced by romance, sir. And
her peculiar relationship to--ahem--yourself, I might say--"

"You mean that outrageous affair at old Jasper's house," Lyman broke
in.

"Well, the odd--you understand--marriage. Yes, it has made quite a
different person of her, I might say. Really, I was in hopes--it came
upon me latterly, you observe, or I mean you understand--that we might
come to some adjustment--"

"We will," Lyman interrupted. "I am more than willing to sign the
petition."

"You are very kind, and I thank you--yes, very considera