“What are you going to do?”
“It’s done. I’ve declined.”
“What! not already? That’s sudden, ain’t it?”
Paul did not answer; he was adding figures.
“Have you been over the reasons?—weighed ’em?”
“Oh, I leave the reasons to you,” said Paul, turning a page.
Hollis gave his almost silent laugh. But he gave it uneasily. “Positively declined? Letter gone?”
“Yes.”
“Oh; well!” He waited a moment; then, as Paul did not speak, he opened the door and edged himself out without a sound.
Ten minutes later his head reappeared with the same stealth. “Oh, I thought I’d just tell you—perhaps you don’t know—the mail doesn’t go out to-day until five o’clock: you can get that letter back if you like.”