“Good afternoon, Uncle Ed. Hi there, Jack!” Gordon sat down. “I’m full of news.”
“About what?” asked Barnes.
“About myself.”
“I know. You’ve just been appointed to arrange a merger between J. P. Morgan and the Queensborough Bridge.”
“It’s a merger,” agreed Vandervere, “but those are not the parties to it. I’m engaged to be married.”
Barnes glowered.
“Her name,” continued Vandervere, “is Esther Crosby.”
“Let me congratulate you,” said Barnes ironically. “A relation of H. B. Crosby, I presume.”
“Exactly,” said Vandervere unruffled. “In fact, his only daughter.”
For a moment there was silence in the office. Then Barnes exploded.
“You’re going to marry H. B. Crosby’s daughter? Does he know that last month you retired by request from one of his banks?”
“I’m afraid he knows everything
