"Pretty scrubby-looking cars," commented Armorer; "but get
our new ordinance through the council, we can save enough
to afford some fine new cars. Has Lossing said anything to you
about the ordinance and our petition to be allowed to leave
off the conductors?"

"He hasn't said anything, but I read about it in the papers.
Is it so very important that it should be passed?"

"Saving money is always important, my dear," said Armorer, seriously.

The horses turned again. They were now opposite a fair lawn
and a house of wood and stone built after the old colonial pattern,
as modern architects see it. Esther pointed, saying:

"Aunt Meg's, papa; isn't it pretty?"

"Very handsome, very fine," said the financier, who knew nothing
about architecture, except its exceeding expense. "Esther, I've a notion;
if that young man of yours has brains and is fond of you he ought to be
able to get my ordinance through his little eight by ten city council.
There is our chance to see what stuff he is made of!"

"Oh, he has a great deal of influence," said Esther;
"he can do it, unless--unless he thinks the ordinance would
be bad for the city, you know."

"Confound the modern way of educating girls!" thought Armorer.
"Now, it would have been enough for Esther's mother to know
that anything was for my interests; it wouldn't have to help