Business, indeed. For there was ushered into the room, by the frowning Peter, the man whom of all others his master now least wished to see.
CHAPTER VII.
THE BOY FROM NEXT DOOR.
The unwelcome visitor was a Mr. Wakeman, confidential clerk and business manager, under Mr. Smith, of that gentleman’s many vast enterprises. He was an alert young man, rather jaunty of dress and manner, and almost too eager to please his employer.
“Good morning, Mr. Smith.”
“Morning. Terrible prompt, aren’t you!”
“I’m always prompt, sir, if you remember.”
The stranger had brought an air of haste and unrest into the quiet library, and its owner’s comfort was at an end. He moved suddenly and his foot began to ache afresh. Even Josephine sat up erect and smoothed the folds of her red frock, while she gazed upon Mr. Wakeman’s face with the critical keenness of childhood. On his part, he bestowed upon her a smile intended to be sweet, yet that succeeded in being merely patronizing.
“Good morning, sissy. Didn’t know you had any grandchildren, Mr. Smith,” he remarked.
“Haven’t. Of course,” was the retort.
“Beg pardon. I’d forgotten, for the moment, that you were a bachelor. I got your telephone message,” said the clerk.