"I'm glad you like it," he said. "But do you like it?" he put in, with

a shrewd gleam in his eyes, which could be keen as well as brilliant

and genial. "I fancy you think it _too_ fine--eh, Stafford?" He laid

his hand on Stafford's knee with a somewhat appealing gesture and

glance. "I've seen a doubt on your face once or twice--and, by George!

you haven't seen half the place yet. Yes, Mr. Howard, I'll admit that

it is rather luxurious; that's the result of giving these new men

_carte-blanche_. They take you at your word, sir. I'll own up I was a

little surprised to-day; for I told them to build me a villa--but then

I wanted thirty or forty bedrooms, so I suppose they had to make it

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rather large. It seemed to me that as it overlooks the lake it ought to

be after the style of those places one sees in Italy, and I hinted that

for the interior an Oriental style might be suitable; but I left them a

free hand, and if they've overdone it they ought to have known better.

I employed the men who were recommended to me."

There was a pause for a moment. Stafford tried to find some phrase

which would conceal his lack of appreciation; and his father, as if he

saw what was passing through Stafford's mind, went on quickly but

smoothly: "Yes, I see. It _is_ too fine and ornamental. But I don't think you'll

find that the people who are coming here tomorrow will agree with you.

I may not know much about art and taste, but I know my world.

Stafford--Mr. Howard--I'll make a clean breast of it. I built this

place with an object. My dear sir, you won't think me guilty of

sticking it up to please Stafford here. I know his taste too well;

something like mine, I expect--a cosy room with a clean cloth and a

well-cooked chop and potato. I've cooked 'em myself before now--the

former on a shovel, the latter in an empty meat-tin. Of course I know

that Stafford and you, Mr. Howard, have lived very different lives to

mine. Of course. You have been accustomed to every refinement and a

great deal of luxury over since you left the cradle. Quite right! I'm

delighted that it should be so. Nothing is too good for Stafford

here--and his chum--nothing!"

Stafford's handsome face flushed.

"You've been very generous to me, sir," he said, in his brief way, but

with a glance at his father which expressed more than the words.




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