"Dining at the club to-night? . . ."
Tietjens said: "No; I've resigned."
With the aspect of a long-billed bird chewing a bit of putridity, Ruggles said:
"Oh, but we've had an emergency meeting of the committee . . . the committee was sitting . . . and sent you a letter asking you to reconsider. . . ."
Tietjens said:
"I know. . . . I shall withdraw my resignation to-night. . . . And resign again to-morrow morning."
Ruggles' muscles had relaxed for a quick second, then they stiffened.
"Oh, I say!" he had said. "Not that. . . . You couldn't do that. . . . Not to the club! . . . It's never been done. . . . It's an insult. . . ."
"It's meant to be," Tietjens said. "Gentlemen shouldn't be expected to belong to a club that has certain members on its committee."
Ruggles' deepish voice suddenly grew very high.