"Yes—yes—Jimmy," grinned Tod.
"You can't stay here, Mr. Chase," said Mr. Cooley sternly.
Tod looked at Paula inquiringly.
"Please don't go," she said, in an undertone.
"But he must go," said Mr. Cooley, who overheard.
Tod laughed, and, going to a side table, laid down his hat and cane. Coming back he said, with a careless laugh:
"My dear old Cooley, when a lady invites me to stay and that lady happens to be the hostess, one doesn't need any lawyer's advice on the subject—one simply stays."
He looked across at the table where the commission were sitting, and, surprised to see them, he turned to Paula for an explanation.
"What's the game?" he asked. "I don't see any chips—can I get in? Say, this looks like a nice little party, Miss Marsh. I'm awfully glad I came."
Mr. Marsh, who was fast losing his temper, went up to him and took him aside.