the top of a magnificent iced cake when he heard Grandmother Kane's voice from behind him.
'Don't touch the food, William, it's not for you? He swung round. 'Then who is it for?' he asked, as he kissed her on the cheek.
'Don't be fresh, William, just because youre over six feet doesn't mean I wouldn't spank you.'
Matthew Lester laughed.
'Grandmother, may I introduce my closest friend, Matthew Lester?'
Grandmother Kane subjected him to a careful appraisal through her pince - nez before venftu - ing: 'How do you do, young man?'
'It's an honour to meet you, Mn, Kane. I believe you knew my grandfather!
'Knew your grandfather? Caleb Longworth Lester? He proposed marriage to me once, over fifty years ago. I tumed him down. I told him he drank too much, and that it would lead him to an early grave. I was right, so don't you drink, either of you; remember, alcohol dulls the bmin.'
'We hardly get much chance with Prohibition,' remarked Matthew innocently, 'that will end soon enough, I'm afraid,' said Grundmother Kane, sniffing.
'President Coolidge is forgetting his upbringing. He would never have become President if that idiot Harding hadn't foolishly died.'
William laughed. 'Really, Grandmother, your memory is getting selective.
You wouldn't hear a word against him during the police strike.'
.194 Mrs. Kane did not reply, The guests began to appear, many of them complete strangers to their host, who was delighted to see Alan Lloyd among the early arrivals.
'You're looking well, my boy,' he said, finding himself looking up at William for the first time in his life.
'You too, Alan. It was kind of you to come.'
'Kind? Have you forgotten that the invitation came from your grandmothers? I am possibly brave enough to refuse one of them, but both...'
'You too, Alan?' William laughed. 'Can you spare a moment for a private word?' He guided his guest towards a quiet comer. 'I want to change my investment plans slightly and start buying Lester's bank stock whenever it comes on to the market. I'd like to be holding about five per cent of their stock by the time I'm twenty - one.'
"It's not that easy,' said Alan. 'Lester's shares don't come on the market all that often as they are all in private hands, but I'll see what can be done. What is going on in that mind of yours, William?'
- 'Well, my real aim is..
'William.' Grandmother Cabot was bearing down on them at speed. 'Here you are conspiring in a comer with Mr. Lloyd and I haven't seen you dance with one young lady yet. What do you imagine we organised this ball for?'
'Quite right,' said Alan Lloyd, rising. 'You come and sit down with mr, Mrs. Cabot, and I'll kick the boy out into the world. We can rest, watch him dance, and listen to the 'Music? That's not music, Alan. It's nothing more than a loud cacophony of sound with no suggestion of melody.'
'My dear grandmother,' said William, 'that is "Yes, We Have No Bananas", the latest hit song.'
'Then the time has come for me to depart this world,' said Grandmother Cabot, wincing.
'Never,' Alan Lloyd said gallantly, William danced with a couple of girls whom he had a vague recollection of knowing, but he had to be reminded of their narnes, and when he spotted Matthew sitting in a comer, he was glad of the excuse to escape die dance floor. He had not noticed the girl sitting next to Matthew until he was right on top of them. When she looked up into William's eyes, he felt his knees give way.
To you know Abby Blount?' asked Matthew casually, 'No,' said William, barely restraining himself from straightening his tie.
'This is your host, Mr. William Lowell Kane.'
The young lady cast her eyes demurely downwards as he took the seat on the.other side of her. Matthew had noted the look William gave Abby and went off in search of some punch.
'How is it I've lived in Boston all my life, and we!ve never meff William said.
'We did meet once before. On that occasion, you pushed me into the pond on the Common; we were both three at the time. It's takenme fourteen years to recover.'
'I am sorry,' said William, after a pause during which he searched in vain for more telling repartee.
"VVhat a lovely house you have, William!
There was a second busy pause. 'Thank you,' said William weakly. He glanced sideways at Abby, trying to look as though he were not studying her. She was slim - oh, so slim - with huge