n understand this common-sense
approach to the subject of marriage. It was natural, indeed, that he
should be shocked by it; yet it had been a surprise to have the
easy-going Monty rouse himself to the extent of making definite
objections to the method of procedure. But Cosden had observed that
Huntington's conscience every now and then, like his liver, became
overburdened, and on these rare occasions he was liable to make remarks
which would sting if taken seriously.

Now, however, it had been brought home to him that perhaps, after all,
his friend's comments might contain a grain of truth. The fact was
forced home not so much by what Merry Thatcher said to him as the wide
divergence of viewpoint which became apparent as a result of their
discussion. Cosden instinctively felt himself in the presence of
something higher and finer than himself, and this feeling put him at a
disadvantage. When he had ridden to Elba Beach with Merry and Billy they
were companions and all met on the same footing; now, with Merry alone,
he realized that the girl looked upon him as a man with ideas rather
than ideals, and with a creed of life which she neither understood nor
cared to understand. Yet he was not the first man to apply business
principles to this all-important partnership, and others had not made
themselves ridiculous. "Your business has been your religion and you are
branded with its ear-marks," Monty told him. It was the branding which
caused the trouble, Cosden concluded. The "finer instincts" could not be
bought, perhaps, but surely they might be acquired. He had been too
crude in the manner of expression. It came down to a question of finesse
in this as in any other transaction of life, and when reduced to this
medium he thought he understood.

To arrive at this point required time. After a brief and silent luncheon
with Huntington Cosden set out by himself for a long walk, returning in
season for dinner in what appeared outwardly his normal mental
condition. In the evening he visited with the little group which had
formed the habit of taking their coffee together on the piazza, however
far their paths might diverge during the day. Even Edith Stevens was
deceived, but Huntington knew his friend's temperament well enough to
realize that he was working everything out in his mind preparatory to
the next step, by which he would endeavor to regain the lost ground.

By the following morning Cosden had arrived at several definit