"Then, I am to understand, you do not court my company?" said the unruffled one.
"No; not that, Mr. Monroe. I am very busy of evenings. Sometime I may accept your invitation; but not for the present," responded John.
"What is it that so engrosses you of evenings, may I inquire?" asked the worming Monroe.
"Yes; you may ask whatever you please—I am taking a post-graduate course in business on my own time," said John.
"To what end?" asked Monroe.
"That I may be better prepared to perform my duties; for that reason I do not care to spare the time to go out."
"Very well, Mr. Winthrope; success to you," said Monroe. "But may I not anticipate your company to dinner before very long?"
"I cannot now decide, Mr. Monroe—not now; but will inform you of my decision at a later date," replied John.
Hearing Mr. Jarney enter his office at this juncture, John said good bye to the cat, and retired. He found Mr. Jarney tuned to a conversational degree that morning that perplexed him. Mr. Jarney dictated a few letters, beginning on them as was his custom, immediately after taking his seat, and looking over some important ones; then he lighted a cigar, and reared back in his chair in pleasant contemplation of the circles that he blew out and sent upwards like escaping halos. John sat regarding him for a few seconds with calm complacency; then, seeing that he did not intend to proceed further, for the present, with the dictation, said that he would retire and transcribe the letters.
"No hurry, Mr. Winthrope; no hurry," said Mr. Jarney, looking searchingly at John. "You are the most unfathomable chap I ever saw, Mr. Winthrope," he continued. "Here a week has gone by and you have not yet made inquiry about my daughter's health."