Miriam snorted scornfully.
"But I tell you it's no cinch to be a parasite," continued Jack. "It requires qualifications of a very high order. Firstly, a resolute determination not to work. Any fool can work, but it needs character to idle gracefully. Then a parasite must have A1 cheek, nerve, brass, gall. It takes an unusual man to make a success of it."
"You're forgetting some of the qualifications," said Miriam.
"I daresay. It's an all round man's job."
"Meanness, obsequiousness, conceit!"
"All very fine qualities!" said Jack with inimitable gravity.
They had been at the table about half an hour when a boy passed through the tea room paging Miss Culbreth. Miriam and Bobo both affected not to hear him, but Jack, scenting developments, called him to their table, and indicated Miriam to him.
"Mr. Spragge is calling," the boy said to Miriam. "Said he was expected."
"Tell him I'm engaged, and he needn't wait," said Miriam languidly. "Say that I will let him hear from me."
Jack noticed that Bobo was betraying an extraordinary agitation. Following a sudden impulse, Jack said carelessly to the boy: