neck were fuller and the pockets under his eyes more spongy.
“You haven’t asked after the family,” he said.
“Has anything of importance happened to any of them?”
“Now, Dick, old girl. It’s time you were getting tolerant. They’re all right, you know.”
“Ah, you’re growing tired, dad. That’s what is the matter with you. You’ve no more fight in you.”
“Indeed.” He looked curiously at her. “By the way, what do you get to fight up here?”
She laughed. “Nothing. Everybody loves me, and I just live for the office.”
“Nothing to fight? How boring life must be. Are you seeing much of Barrington?”
She had been waiting for that. “What would you call much?”
“Anything with him. He’s too damned fascinating.”
Valerie’s eyes twinkled again at her father. “And why should he not fascinate me? Why am I to be deprived of fascination?”
“That’s all right, old girl. But you be careful. He’s outside the pale as far as you are concerned.”
“Dad, you must know you’re a fool to talk to me like that. No person is outside the pale as far as I am concerned until I put him there myself. And I’m surprised at you suggesting this thing to me by talking against it. Between you and Bob you’d have me living with Dane Barrington in a month if I let you talk to me.”
This frankness astonished her father and threw him off the scent.
“Of course I admire his looks,” she went on easily, “and I’m well aware of his fascination. But looks and fascination don’t overwhelm me. I want something that
