a few months away from Itanaca when Alice first took him to her home for dinner; and in coming to dine at this large, luxurious house Dave felt that he was, in some way, condoning unrighteousness.
He did not know what unrighteousness; for his father had never been definite in describing the ways in which the rich offended; and Dave discovered little that night.
Of course he encountered strong contrasts to the manners of Itanaca where few families kept "help" and where those who did always had the help sit at the table and naturally treated them as equals. The Sothrons had several servants and Dave had learned enough not to expect Alice's family to eat with their maids; but he had not known enough not to be surprised, and disturbed, at the way the Sothrons ignored the feelings of their help. Dave would not treat others so and, having the courage of his convictions, he pointedly thanked the maids when they served him at the table, looking up at them when he spoke.
Now he was not ashamed of having done that; but he had ceased it long ago. To-night, when the door was opened for him, he spoke to the maid personally in much the same way that the Sothrons themselves did. He was nervous when he asked for "Miss Alice."
"Mr. Sothron is in the library," the maid said.
Dave entered the library where he found Alice's father alone with a newspaper in his hand. "Good evening, Dave," Mr. Sothron greeted him as usual and without rising.
"Good evening, Mr. Sothron," said Dave, standing.
