"And you?"
"They did me," Annandale answered. "Atch., U. P., St. Paul, Steel, I had the list." As he spoke he mopped himself. Then in confidential aside, he added, "It has affected my stomach. It is as though I had a hole there. Will you have a sherry and bitters?"
Loftus moved forward to where Sylvia and Fanny sat. Fanny gave him a finger; Sylvia, a little distant nod. She was dressed in white. About her neck was a string of pearls. Fanny was in a frock of tender asparagus green fluttered with lace, very cool to the eye and cut rather low.
"I hope Arthur isn't hurt much," said Loftus.
"Are you?" Fanny asked.
"No. I have been selling. Today I covered. It was not easy, though. Everybody was crazy. I have never seen a panic before."
"It will be a generation before you see another," Orr, from across the room, called out.
At the further end of the room Harris, Annandale's former valet, since promoted to the position of butler, appeared, smug-faced and solemn, in silent announcement of dinner.
For the time being the subject was abandoned, but presently when at table all were seated it was resumed.
"It will cost the country $50,000,000," said Orr. He was at Fanny's left. At her right was Loftus.