"Has he? The young man has taste, Joe. Reg'lar lady-killer!"
Quinney lowered his voice:
"It's a weapon, but I don't rely on it. I can't use it, in fairness to Mabel, till we stand in the last ditch."
"Why not? Got to think of ourselves, ain't we?"
Tomlin pulled out an immense silk bandana, and mopped a heated brow.
"It's two-edged, Tom. You ain't yourself this morning, or you'd see, with your knowledge of the fair sex, that Posy might be keener on gettin' this scamp, if she learned that another woman was after him. We'll try to handle Master Miggott first."
He crossed to the speaking-tube, and summoned James to the sanctuary. Then he sat down, very erect and austere, at his desk.
III
Presently James entered, carrying his head at the angle affected by Susan, looking very bland and self-confident.
"Good-morning, Mr. Tomlin! Good-morning, Mr. Quinney!"