“Are you? It isn’t true, is it, Phil? I heard you were going out of the firm.”
“Oh, no. I’ve been working, Nina. Sounds queer, doesn’t it? Fact, though.”
“There’s something I want to see you about, Phil. I’ve been on the point of looking you up at the office.”
“You! What is it?” he laughed. “Breach of promise or alienation of the affections?”
“Neither,” slowly. “Seriously—there’s something I want to say to you.” Gallatin looked at her and she met his eye fairly. “I’d like to talk to you here—now—if you don’t mind.”
“Oh—er—of course. But if it’s anything of a serious nature—perhaps——”
“I can speak here—will you follow me?”
Gallatin glanced over his shoulder in the direction of the room into which Jane had disappeared, but there was nothing left but to follow, so he helped the girl find a quiet spot on the back stairway where Nina settled herself and motioned to him to a place at her feet. Gallatin sat trying to conceal his impatience in the smoke of a cigarette, and wondering how soon Nina would let him go to Jane.
“Phil, you and I have known each other a good many years. We’ve always got along pretty well, haven’t we?”
“Of course,” he nodded.