"I will, if you wish me to do so, sir," she replied meekly. "But, personally, I do not require one."
"You have been of great use to us while I was away," he explained kindly, but with official precision, "and now that I am back again you have the opportunity."
Miss Lisle coloured rather rapturously at the formal praise, but the astute young woman did not allow her exaltation to beguile her senses.
"A week's holiday?" she asked.
"I would suggest a fortnight," he replied.
"That would be until the end of June?"
Salt agreed.
"Then nothing is likely to happen before the end of June?"
He laughed frankly. There was no trace of the mystery and restraint, of the electric tension in the air, that forerun portentous events, as we are told, to be noticed about the office of the League.
"A great deal may happen before that time, but nothing, I think I can assure you, that comes within your meaning."