XXIX
STEWART TAKES THE FIELD
It irritated Stewart to find, on arriving at his house, that his father-in-law was there. The fact that Mr. Dunbar had been for so long Stewart's most ardent and partisan admirer had made his defection in this crisis the more galling; and when they met, Stewart was always aware of tentative, foolish efforts on the part of the little man for his redemption. These he was accustomed to suppress with inexorable promptness; but on this afternoon he was in no mood to submit to even the most glancing suggestion that he was pursuing a mistaken course. He had been in conference nearly all day with various union leaders, seeking to influence them into taking some positive step in behalf of their brethren at New Rome; but they had been unwilling or stupid or incompetent, and his endeavors had in the end all been profitless. For this reason he was now the less disposed to endure any criticism which hinted of the waste he was making of his time and abilities.
Mr. Dunbar was in the hall with Lydia, on the point of leaving when Stewart entered.
"Hello, Stewart!" he said; and he added with a tactless cordiality that seemed bent on ignoring facts, "How's architecture?"
Stewart hung up his coat with some deliberation before replying. "I guess you'll have to ask Bennett & Durant about that," he said at last as he came forward. He shook hands with his father-in-law and, kissed Lydia, but in neither act was there any particular demonstrativeness. Mr. Dunbar's question had completed the work of irritation which his presence had begun.
