"I?" she demanded. "I? Do you mean that what I said was of importance?"
"You have saved us time. You have put money directly in my pocket. Ten thousand is what I calculate I've saved in concessions, and in the time gained by shortening trouble I reckon I've made as much more." He laughed. "What percentage shall I give you?"
But she would not jest. "You're welcome, welcome!" she exclaimed. "I'm satisfied, just to feel that I have been a factor. Just to know that I—oh, Mr. Ellis, you can't know how I feel!"
And Judith was near the danger line at that moment, as she leaned toward him with sparkling eyes. He saw it, believed his chance had come, and sought to take advantage of it. "I shall consult you always after this," he said. "I will bring you all my difficulties. A partnership—what do you say to that?"
She laughed in deprecation, yet she was flattered, and the stimulus caused her to rear her head and expand her nostrils in the way she had. In his turn he was thrilled, and fire entered his veins.
"What do you say?" he repeated, leaning toward her. "Shall we be partners?"
"A silent partnership?" she asked. "Or will you put up the sign, Ellis and Blanchard?"
The answer sprang to his lips, but he checked it, wondering if he dared venture. A glance at her face decided him; she was looking, still with those triumphant eyes, away from him, as if she saw visions of success. He spoke hoarsely.
"Not Ellis and Blanchard, but—Ellis and Ellis!"
She looked at him. "What did you say?" she asked absently, as if her thoughts had been elsewhere. Then, looking where her glance had been, he saw Mather in the farther room. Mather—and she had not heard!