“Oh, you do, do you?” said Mr. Prescott. “Will you be so kind as to tell me about what time to-day you will deliver it?”
Billy looked at the clock.
Miss King’s keys kept right on—clickety-clickety-click.
Billy changed his weight to his other foot before he answered:
“About four o’clock, sir.”
Mr. Prescott looked at the clock, then he took up his pen, saying:
“It is now nearly half-past three. It would be a pity, in such an important matter, for you to fail for lack of time to work out any little theory that you happen to have originated. Suppose we make it half-past four o’clock.”
As Billy started for the door Mr. Prescott added:
“Having opened your lips, you may close them again, a little tighter than before. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Billy.