"Don't see why you shouldn't," dropped Tantroy negligently.
Salt allowed the moment to pass on a note of indecision.
"Perhaps I am speaking prematurely," he qualified. "Things are only evolving at the moment, and I don't suppose that there will be anything at all doing during the next few weeks. I have even sent Miss Lisle off on a holiday."
"Noticed the fair Irene's empty chair," said Freddy. "For long?"
"I told her to take a fortnight. She can have longer if she wants."
"Wish Sir John could spare me; but simply won't hear of it. Don't fancy you find girl much good, though."
"Oh, she is painstaking," put in her employer tolerantly.
"No initiative," declared Tantroy solemnly. "No idea of rising to the occasion or of making use of her opportunities."
"You noticed that?" To Freddy's imagination it seemed as though Salt was regarding him with open admiration.
He wagged his head judicially. "I knew you'd like me to keep eye on things while you were away," he said, "so I looked in here occasionally as I passed. Don't believe she had any idea what to do. Invariably found her sitting here in gilded idleness at every hour of the day. If I were you, should sack her while she is away."