So I sent for him and had a talk with him in my office.

I led him on to saying all he had on his mind.

He explained to me what a condescension it was for a man like himself to marry a girl like Lily.

He made a dignified, touching picture of all the disadvantages of such an alliance and all the advantages they ought to bring in exchange to the man who bore up under them.

I rubbed my head and looked worried every now and then and cleared my throat apologetically just to warm him up.