Mr. Taynton looked at the young fellow with affection.

“Dear Morris,” he said gaily, “we lawyers and solicitors are always supposed to be sharks, but personally I am not such a shark as that.  Are you aware that I am paid L200 a year for my stewardship, which you are entitled to assume for yourself on your marriage, though of course its continuance in my hands is not forbidden in your father’s will?  You are quite competent to look after your affairs yourself; it is ridiculous for you to continue to pay me this sum.  But I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your confidence in me.”

A very close observer might have seen that behind Mr. Taynton’s kind gay eyes there was sitting a personality, so to speak, that, as his mouth framed these words, was watching Morris rather narrowly and anxiously.  But the moment Morris spoke this silent secret watcher popped back again out of sight.

“Well then I ask you as a personal favour,” said he, “to continue being my steward.  Why, it’s good business for me, isn’t it?  In twenty years you make me ten thousand pounds, and I only pay you L200 a year for it.  Please be kind, Mr. Taynton, and continue making me rich.  Oh, I’m a jolly hard-headed chap really; I know that it is to my advantage.”

Mr. Taynton considered this a moment, playing with his wine glass.  Then he looked up quickly.

“Yes, Morris, I will with pleasure do as you ask me,” he said.

“Right oh.  Thanks awfully.  Do come and play billiards.”

Morris was in amazing luck that night, and if, as he said, he had been playing a lot lately, the advantage of his practice was seen chiefly in the hideous certainty of his flukes, and the game (though he received twenty-five) left Mr. Taynton half a crown the poorer.  Then the winner whirled his guest upstairs again to talk to his mother while he himself went round to the stables to assure himself of the well-being of the beloved motor.  Martin had already valeted it, after its run, and was just locking up when Morris arrived.

Morris gave his orders for next day after a quite unnecessary examination into the internal economy of the beloved, and was just going back to the house, when he paused, remembering something.

“Oh Martin,” he said, “while I am here, I want you to help in the house, you know at dinner and so on, just as you did to-night.  And when there are guests of mine here I want you to look after them.  For instance, when Mr. Taynton goes tonight you will be there to give him his hat and coat.  You’ll have rather a lot to do, I’m afraid.”

Morris finished his cigarette and went back to the drawing-room where Mr. Taynton was already engaged in the staid excitements of backgammon with his mother.  That game over, Morris took his place, and before long the lawyer rose to go.

“Now I absolutely refuse to let you interrupt your game,” he said.  “I have found my way out of this house often enough, I should think.  Good night, Mrs. Assheton.  Good night Morris; don’t break your neck my dear boy, in trying to break records.”