"I must return to-morrow," he said. "It was the only condition upon which our principal would consent to my leaving yesterday. He is going North to purchase his fall and winter goods, you see, and wants me to be there."
"How long will he be absent?"
"He says only four days, at the longest."
"And when does he go?"
"By the next train following my return."
"Then he will be back again at his post by Saturday evening?"
"Yes; in fact, he intends to be back by the end of the week, and that is the very reason why he is so anxious to get away to-morrow night."
"Craven, dear, when your senior partner gets back do you think you will be able to return here for a few days?"
"Do you really wish me to come back so soon?" exclaimed the lover, his face flushing all over with pleasure.
"Yes; but don't cry out so loud—that's a dear! I repeat, there are people in the next [room.] But you have not yet answered my question."