He did, however, go; but three minutes later reappeared.
"I've been talking to the sportsman outside," he said. "A clever child. I have asked him to come to me as a butler-secretary and he seems keen. Do you mind?"
"If you rob me of Dolly," said Ben, "I'll never speak to you again."
"I must do something," said Tubby. "It would be a very serious thing for you if I went about London telling everybody that I had been to 'The Beck and Call' with quite a number of needs and not one could you satisfy. Grant me one request anyway. Grant me!"
"What is it?" said Ben.
"Give me leave to read a novel by Erckmann-Chatrian."
And this time he went.