“Ah, you’ve been rather out of it lately, sir,” said Wayne. “You haven’t followed, perhaps, all that’s been going on.”
“Perhaps not.”
Wayne felt he must be candid.
“If it is your idea that your wife’s opposition could be changed, I’m afraid I must tell you, Mr. Farron—” He paused, meeting a quick, sudden look; then Farron turned his head, and stared, with folded arms, out of the window. Wayne had plenty of time to wonder what he was going to say. What he did say was surprising.
“I think you are an honest man, and I should be glad to have you working for me. I could make you one of my secretaries, with a salary of six thousand dollars.”
In the shock Pete heard himself saying the first thing that came into his head:
“That’s a large salary, sir.”
“Some people would say large enough to marry on.”
Wayne drew back.
“Don’t you think you ought to consult Mrs. Farron before you offer it to me?” he asked hesitatingly.