I sublet a room in my offices to him. Rather a good arrangement for him, because he gets experience by looking after any little matters that I've no time to attend to.

Sylvia.

[With suppressed resentment.] And isn't that rather a good arrangement for you?

Pringle.

It works fairly well—as a rule. But when I returned from the country this afternoon I found he hadn't been near the office all day!

[He rises, takes Sylvia's parasol officiously, and places it in a corner, then returns.

Professor Futvoye.

[To his wife, but speaking at Sylvia.] Not been near the office all day! I thought as much!

Sylvia.

The reason why he wasn't able to help you, Mr. Pringle, is because he's been at an auction, bidding for things on father's account.