"My part of it is," answered Curtis—"at least for to-day. They may recall me to-morrow."
Brisbane was visibly annoyed. "I didn't suppose you would come on till eleven; that's the word I got over the 'phone. I particularly wanted to hear your deposition," he added, sourly.
"Papa has an idea your opposition to this bill is important," Elsie said, lightly, as Curtis edged away from Brisbane.
Brisbane followed him up. "Well, now that your hearing is over, suppose you get into our carriage and go home with us to lunch?'
"Please do!" said Elsie, with flattering sincerity.
Curtis hesitated, and was made captive. "It is a great temptation," he said, looking at Lawson.
Elsie saw him yielding and cried out: "Oh, you must come—and you, too, Osborne."
Lawson was plainly defeated. "I can't do it. I have a couple of New York men to lunch at the club, and I couldn't think of putting them off."
"Oh, I'm so sorry; we would have made a nice little lunch party."
"There are other days coming!" he replied, as lightly as possible.