Silas Bradford's Boy by Joseph C. Lincoln

Mr. Christopher Trent remained but a few minutes in the Truman hall after Banks Bradford's departure. He had a long drive before him, he said, and must be on his way. His manner was--or so it seemed to Elizabeth--a trifle less cordial than usual. His greeting to Bradford had been curt enough, certainly. He and Mrs. Truman exchanged whispers on the step; the girl caught only a word or two.

-"Well, maybe," she heard him say. "There's getting to be a little too much of it, though, according to my notion. There's a limit, you understand. Oh, I know, I know! But there's a limit, just the same; don't forget that."