become
more than--a rumor."

"I do not admit your right to question me on such a subject, Mrs.
LeCord, but I shall not avoid a discussion of it. Suppose, for the sake
of argument, that I were to contemplate marriage with Miss Bruce; if
she and her relatives were agreeable, what right would anyone have to
object?"

"It would be a great mistake," Mrs. LeCord insisted, avoiding his
question. "She is not in your class--"

"What do you mean by 'class'?"

"Why, I mean socially, of course. She lives in a different world. She
has no standing, in a social way. She works in an office for a living--"

"So do I," he interrupted, "and your daughters do not. It would
therefore appear that I am more in Miss Bruce's 'class' than in theirs."

"Ah, but you are an employer. You direct things. You work because you
want to, not because you have to. That makes a difference."

"Apparently it does. Well, if I had my way, everybody would work,
whether he wanted to or not. I would not allow any healthy man to
spend money which he had not earned by the sweat of his own brow. I am
convinced that that is the only economic system which is sound at
the bottom, but it would destroy 'class,' as at present organized, so
'class' must fight it."

"I am afraid you are rather radical, Mr. Grant. You may be sure that a
system which has served so long and so well is a good system."

"That introduces the clash between East and West. The East says because
things are so, and have always been so, they must be right. The West
says because things are so, and have always been so, they are in all
probability wrong. I guess I am a Westerner."

"You should not allow your theories of economics to stand in the way of
your success," Mrs. LeCord pursued. "Suppose I admit that Caroline would
not be altogether deaf to your advances. Suppose I admit that much.
Allowing for a mother's prejudice, will you not agree with me that
Caroline has her attractions? She is well bred, well educated, and not
without appearance. She belongs to the smartest set in town. Her circle
would bring you not only social distinction, but valuable business
connections. She would introduce that touch of refinement--"

But Grant, now thoroughly angry, had risen from his chair. "You speak
of refinement," he exclaimed, in the quick, sharp tones which alone
revealed the fighting Grant;--"you, who have been guilty of--I could use
a very ugly word which I will give you the credit of not unders