Bruce ventured.

"But it is. It is the hardest kind of thing. You see, I am limited by
my principles. I believe it is morally wrong to receive money without
earning it; consequently I cannot give it away, as by doing so I would
place the recipient in that position. I believe it is morally wrong to
spend on myself money which I have not earned; consequently I can
spend only what I conceive to be a reasonable return for my services.
Meanwhile, my wealth keeps rolling up."

"It's a knotty problem," said Phyllis. "I think there is only one
solution."

"And that is?--"

"Marry a woman who is a good spender."

At this moment Grace and Hubert came in from the picture-show together,
and the conversation turned to lighter topics. Mrs. Bruce insisted
on serving tea and cake, and when Grant found that he must go Phyllis
accompanied him to the gate.

"This all seems so funny," she was saying. "You are a very remarkable
man."

"I think I once passed a similar opinion about you."

She extended her hand, and he held it for a moment. "I have not changed
my first opinion," he said, as he released her fingers and turned
quickly down the pavement.

CHAPTER XIII

Grant's first visit to the home of his private stenographer was not his
last, and the news leaked out, as it is sure to do in such cases. The
social set confessed to being on the point of being shocked. Two schools
of criticism developed over the five o'clock tea tables; one held that
Grant was a gay dog who would settle down and marry in his class when he
had had his fling, and the other that Phyllis Bruce was an artful hussy
who was quite ready to sell herself for the Grant millions. And there
were so many eligible young women on the market, although none of them
were described as artful hussies!

Grant's behavior, however, placed him under no cloud in so far as social
opportunities were concerned; on the contrary, he found himself being
showered with invitations, most of which he managed to decline on the
grounds of pressure of business. When such an excuse would have been too
transparent he accepted and made the best of it, and he found no lack
of encouragement in the one or two incipient amorous flurries which
resulted. From such positions he always succeeded in extricating
himself, with a quiet smile at the vagaries of life. He had to admit
that some of the young women whom he had met had charms of more
than passing moment; he might easily enough find hi