"Very good, sir."
"Isn't Zacharie here yet?" demanded the Professor.
"Yes, doctor," replied the superintendent civilly. "He's stopping here for a few days."
"Ah, yes—a very conscientious man!" exclaimed the professor. Prattling on, he said: "Well, it's a pleasant place! How is the young lady?"
The superintendent shrugged his shoulders.
"About the same, doctor, about the same—no change to speak of."
"Hum! ha! yes!" muttered the professor. "Too bad—too bad!"
The superintendent turned again to Mr. Cooley. In an undertone he said:
"The reports are upstairs, counsellor."
"But McMutrie isn't here yet," growled Cooley, glancing around with a frown. "That's the trouble with these successful men. They never have time to keep their appointments."