Janney smiled, but suppressed Bent's sudden exclamation with a wave of the hand.
"You may bring in the whisky, then tell him that General Bent and I will await his convenience."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
"Confound his impudence!" muttered the General, biting at his lip.
"All for effect, Cornelius," said Janney. "That fellow is an artist. He's saving his face for the ordeal."
"Let him save his neck," sneered Bent.
Janney stretched his legs forward and smoked comfortably. "Break it if you like, Cornelius," he said. "I can't, you know, so long as he's my guest."
Wray sauntered in some moments later, accompanied by Rita Cheyne. General Bent looked up with a scowl, which the lady's gay assurance failed to dismiss.
"May I come in, too?" she asked. "I'm wild to hear how big men talk business. Won't you let me, Cousin Cornelius? I'm positively thirsty for knowledge—business knowledge. You' don't mind, do you, Mr. Janney?"
"You can't be interested."