Vallance Nestor yawned slightly and closed his eyes, only to open them again as Hugh turned the pages of the ledger on the table.
“What’s that?” he demanded.
“This is the book,” replied Drummond carelessly, “where Mr. Peterson records his opinions of the immense value of all his fellow-workers. Most interesting reading.”
“Am I in it?” Vallance Nestor rose with alacrity.
“Why, of course,” answered Drummond. “Are you not one of the leaders? Here you are.” He pointed with his finger, and then drew back in dismay. “Dear dear! There must be some mistake.”
But Vallance Nestor, with a frozen and glassy eye, was staring fascinated at the following choice description of himself:
“Nestor, Vallance. Author—so-called. Hot-air factory, but useful up to a point. Inordinately conceited and a monumental ass. Not fit to be trusted far.”
“What,” he spluttered at length, “is the meaning of this abominable insult?”
But Hugh, his shoulders shaking slightly, was welcoming the next arrival—a rugged, beetle-browed man, whose face seemed vaguely familiar, but whose name he was unable to place.
“Crofter,” shouted the infuriated author, “look at this as a description of me.”