His careless hazarding of poker-chips had caused her to be fearful of his general money sense.
Merton Gill had indeed been reckless.

He was now, he felt, actually one of the Hollywood set.

He wondered how Tessie Kearns would regard his progress.

Would she be alarmed to know he attended those gay parties that so often brought the film colony into unfavourable public notice?
Jolly dinners, dancing, gambling, drinking with actresses--for Mr.
Montague had at last turned out a beer that met with the approval not only of his guests but of his own more exacting family.

The vivacious brew would now and again behave unreasonably at the moment of being released, but it was potable when subdued.
It was a gay life, Merton felt.