Chapter 11

           Sometwoweekslater,NewlandArcher,sittinginabstractedidlenessinhisprivatecompartmentoftheofficeofLetterblair,LamsonandLow,attorneysatlaw,wassummonedbytheheadofthefirm.OldMr.Letterblair,theaccreditedlegaladviserofthreegenerationsofNewYorkgentility,thronedbehindhismahoganydeskinevidentperplexity.Ashestrokedhiscloseclippedwhitewhiskersandranhishandthroughtherumpledgreylocksabovehisjuttingbrows,hisdisrespectfuljuniorpartnerthoughthowmuchhelookedliketheFamilyPhysicianannoyedwithapatientwhosesymptomsrefusetobeclassified."Mydearsir—"healwaysaddressedArcheras"sir"—"Ihavesentforyoutogointoalittlematter;amatterwhich,forthemoment,IprefernottomentioneithertoMr.SkipworthorMr.Redwood."Thegentlemenhespokeofweretheotherseniorpartnersofthefirm;for,aswasalwaysthecasewithlegalassociationsofoldstandinginNewYork,allthepartnersnamedontheofficeletter-headwerelongsincedead;andMr.Letterblair,forexample,was,professionallyspeaking,hisowngrandson.Heleanedbackinhischairwithafurrowedbrow."Forfamilyreasons—"hecontinued.Archerlookedup."TheMingottfamily,"saidMr.Letterblairwithanexplanatorysmileandbow."Mrs.MansonMingottsentformeyesterday.Hergrand-daughtertheCountessOlenskawishestosueherhusbandfordivorce.Certainpapershavebeenplacedinmyhands."Hepausedanddrummedonhisdesk.