ed 'til they were sharp
as a razor.

"'I've seen that fellow,' he says, 'an' he'll never marry Lizzie if
I can prevent it. I hate the looks of him. I shall improve the
first opportunity I have to insult him.'

"'That might be impossible,' I suggested.

"'But I'll make the effort,' says Dan.

"As an insulter I wouldn't wonder if Dan had large capacity when
properly stirred up.

"'Better let him alone. I have lines out that will bring
information. Be patient.'

"Dan rose and said he would see me soon, an' left with a rather
stern look in his face.

III

IN WHICH LIZZIE DESCENDS FROM A GREAT HEIGHT

"Lizzie was on hand at the hour appointed. We sat down here all by
ourselves.

"'Lizzie,' I says, 'why in the world did you go to Europe for a
husband? It's a slight to Pointview--a discouragement of home
industry.'

"'There was nobody here that seemed to want me,' she says, blushin'
very sweet.

"She had dropped her princess manner an' seemed to be ready for
straight talk.

"'If that's so, Lizzie, it's your fault,' I says.

"'I don't understand you,' says she.

"'Why, my dear child, it's this way,' I says. 'Your mother an'
father have meant well, but they've been foolish. They've educated
you for a millionairess, an' all that's lackin' is the millions.
You overawed the boys here in Pointview. They thought that you
felt above 'em, whether you did or not; an' the boys on Fifth
Avenue were glad to play with you, but they didn't care to marry
you. I say it kindly, Lizzie, an' I'm a friend o' yer father's,
an' you can afford to let me say what I mean. Those young fellows
wanted the millions as well as the millionairess. One of our boys
fell in love with ye an' tried to keep up, but your pace was too
hot for him. His father got in trouble, an' the boy had to drop
out. Every well-born girl in the village entered the race with ye.
An era of extravagance set in that threatened the solvency, the
honor, o' this sober old community. Their fathers had to borrow
money to keep agoin'. They worked overtime, they importuned their
creditors, they wallowed in low finance while their daughters
revelled in the higher walks o' life an' sang in different
languages. Even your father--I tell you in confidence, for I
suppose he wouldn't have the courage to do it--is in financial
difficulties. Now, Lizzie, I want to be kind to you, for I believe
you're a good girl at heart, but you ought to know that all t