"Have you seen a bundle of papers bearing the stamp, Helen? I thought I left them here."
She shakes her head.
"What have you to do to-night, Edgar?"
"To-night?" absently. He pauses and continues his search for the papers.
"Well?" She speaks a little coldly this time. She dislikes to be ignored.
"Eh? Oh! Yes! What am I going to do to-night? I can't tell you, child, I have more on hand than ten men could do. I don't know. Oh!"—facing her suddenly—"about this matter with Everet! What are you accomplishing, Helen? Matters are moving too slowly. Something must be done at once."
She has not had more than ten minutes conversation with Braine in a week. This is the manner in which this opportunity is improved. She bites her lip. After a moment she replies carelessly:
"Really, Edgar, you expect a great deal. I could hardly be expected to gain you the Presidency in six weeks, with nothing to aid me but my own efforts."
"Hardly; but this is not exactly what is required of you. It seems to me that you might hasten matters a little more."
She does not reply.