It behooved me to waste no time and, as soon as I was ready, I briefly conferred with Frances, telling her that Gordon would probably be very glad to employ her for a short time that would tide over the interval before Félicie would be ready to resume business at the old stand. She looked at me, rather uncertainly, as if the suggestion were not altogether a pleasing one. At any rate a tiny wrinkle or two showed for an instant between her brows.
"Don't you think it is a good idea?" I asked her.
"I—I suppose it is," she answered slowly, and then, impulsively, put her hand on my arm.
"Of course it is, you dear good friend," she declared. "I am ready to go there as soon as he may want me. He—he has been so friendly, of late, bringing us candies and flowers, and chatting with us, that—that it will seem a little bit harder, but, of course, it will be just the same as before, and he will think of nothing but his painting."
"I will go and see him at once," I told her, "I may find that he is busy with a portrait and has no time for other work, but I might as well go and ascertain."
I was being shot up the elevator towards Gordon's studio when I suddenly remembered that letter at the consul's. I must confess that it had altogether escaped my memory. I consoled myself with the idea that my interview with Gordon would be brief, and that I should immediately return and tell Frances about it. Perhaps she would allow me to go downtown with her to obtain it. She must not go alone, of course, since she would open the thing there and then. I could imagine her in that office, among indifferent people, weeping and without a friend to take her arm and lead her out, with not a word of consolation and encouragement. Yes, I would go with her!
"Hey, Mister! Didn't you say the tenth floor?"
Thus did the elevator boy interrupt my cogitations; but for him I might have kept on going up and down a dozen times, so busily was I engaged in picturing to myself the emotions of Frances when she should receive that letter. I got out of the cage, hurriedly, and rang Gordon's bell, the Jap opening with a polite grin of recognition.
"Can I go into the studio?" I asked. "Is Mr. McGrath engaged?"
"No, sir, but I tell him."