"Excuse me," he said, in despair, "but I see a friend over there."
"Ah! do you really?" replied Dolser, putting up his eyeglass. "Oh, Macjean, isn't it? Yes. Just come back from America. Had a row with pa because he wanted him to marry some Scotch lassie. Yes."
"You seem to know all about it?"
"Yes, yes; oh, yes. Business, you know--and by Jove! talking about that, I want an interview with you about your book."
"Then you won't get one."
"That's all you know," retorted Mr. Dolser. "What? You won't tell me anything? Never mind, I'll make up a few fairy tales. If they ain't true that's your look-out. Ta, ta! Look in 'The Pepper Box' next week. Jove! there's Quibbles. 'Cuse me, I want to ask about Bundy's divorce," and he disappeared into the crowd.
It was no use being angry with the little man, as he was so very good-natured with all his impudence, so Eustace merely smiled, and moving across the room to Otterburn, touched him on the shoulder.
"You here?" he said, in a tone of glad surprise. "I am glad! I was just going away."
"Not enjoying yourself?" observed Eustace, leaning against the wall.
"Can any one enjoy himself here?" retorted Otterburn in disgust. "I'm tired of hearing people talk about themselves; and if they talk about anyone else----"