Finally Hilmer rose to go. Helen made no move to return the memoranda. Fred cleared his throat and even coughed significantly, but Helen was oblivious. Presently Starratt went up to his wife and said, deliberately:
"Hilmer is going … you better give him back his papers."
She turned a glance of startled innocence upon them both. "Oh!" she exclaimed, petulantly. "How disappointing…and just as I was becoming interested… Why don't you men go have your usual drink? I'll be through with them then."
Hilmer gave a silent assent and Fred followed him. There didn't seem to be anything else to do. On the way out they met Hilmer's office boy in the corridor. Hilmer was wanted on a matter of importance at the office. He waved a brief farewell to Fred and left.
Fred went back to his wife. She had abandoned the forms and was lolling in her chair, sucking at an orange.
"Hilmer's been called suddenly to his office on business," he said, brusquely. She turned and faced him. "You'd better put those papers in the safe. I'll take them back myself to-morrow. I can't see what possessed you to insist on looking them over, anyway."
She squeezed the orange in her hand. "Well, when we get ready to handle the business I want to know something about it."
He stared. "Handle the business? You heard what I said, didn't you?"
"Yes, I heard," she said, wearily, and she went on with her orange.
He did not say anything further, but the next morning a telephone message put to rout his resolve to return Hilmer's insurance forms in person.