"Dear Mr. Wolf?" Betty suggested.
"I reckon dear sir will meet the bill," said Jefferson dryly. "Then let's see, 'In reference to our conversation this morning, after careful consideration, we regret we cannot see our way to entertain your proposition.' Pretty good office English?"
"There are three 'tions," Betty observed.
"Proposition's all right," said Jefferson thoughtfully. "Fix the others as you like. You know the sort of thing."
He went up the outside stair and found Mrs. Jefferson on the balcony.
"If Musgrave's not a philanderer, he's mighty dull," he said. "I'd like you to have seen Miss Jordan just now. A model clerk, very cool and business-like, manner exactly right. All the same, before I got started she saw where I was going and I guess she smiled."
"It's very possible," Mrs. Jefferson agreed. "Well, perhaps it's lucky I'm not jealous!"
"You're not jealous, but if I've got an eye for fine and pretty things, you're accountable. Once on a time I reckoned a big sailing ship, close-hauled on the wind with all she'd carry set, was beautiful; I hadn't seen you talking to our guests across the fruit and flowers. Now I'm thankful for all beauty; things men made like sailing ships, and pretty girls. Betty in white by the bougainvillea, Olivia on the veranda in her black and gold. This old world is charming since you opened my eyes."
"For a business man, you're sometimes extravagant," Mrs. Jefferson replied. "All the same, you are a dear."
Jefferson turned and looked over the balcony. A young man who wore spotless white flannel and a red silk belt crossed the flags. He stopped abruptly when Jefferson shouted: "Hello!"