When the display was over Platt seemed to hesitate. Zizzbaum was a little anxious, thinking that his customer might be inclined to try elsewhere. But Platt was only looking over in his mind the best building sites in Cactus City, trying to select one on which to build a house for his wife–to–be—who was just then in the dressing–room taking off an evening gown of lavender and tulle.
«Take your time, Mr. Platt,» said Zizzbaum. «Think it over to–night. You won't find anybody else meet our prices on goods like these. I'm afraid you're having a dull time in New York, Mr. Platt. A young man like you—of course, you miss the society of the ladies. Wouldn't you like a nice young lady to take out to dinner this evening? Miss Asher, now, is a very nice young lady; she will make it agreeable for you.»
«Why, she doesn't know me,» said Platt, wonderingly. «She doesn't know anything about me. Would she go? I'm not acquainted with her.»
«Would she go?» repeated Zizzbaum, with uplifted eyebrows. «Sure, she would go. I will introduce you. Sure, she would go.»
He called Miss Asher loudly.
She came, calm and slightly contemptuous, in her white shirt waist and plain black skirt.
«Mr. Platt would like the pleasure of your company to dinner this evening,» said Zizzbaum, walking away.
«Sure,» said Miss Asher, looking at the ceiling. «I'd be much pleased. Nine–eleven West Twentieth street. What time?»
«Say seven o'clock.»
«All right, but please don't come ahead of time. I room with a school teacher, and she doesn't allow any gentlemen to call in the room. There isn't any parlor, so you'll have to wait in the hall. I'll be ready.»