'That makes the third this week,' he said, 'but let it blaze. I used to think they would set the place on fire, but somehow they don't do it. Don't give the thing the satisfaction of seeming to notice it.'
The umbrella had been frizzled in a second, and its particles were already trembling through the room like flakes of snow.
'You have just been in time to find me,' Rorrison said; 'I start to-morrow afternoon for Egypt in the special correspondent business.'
'I envy you,' said Rob, and then told the manner of his coming to London.
'It was a mad thing to do,' said Rorrison, looking at him not without approval, 'but the best journalists frequently begin in that way. I suppose you have been besieging the newspaper offices since you arrived; any result?'
'I had a proof from the Minotaur this evening,' said Rob.
Rorrison blew some rings of smoke into the air and ran his finger through them. Then he turned proudly to Rob, and saw that Rob was looking proudly at him.
'Ah, what did you say?' asked Rorrison.
'The Minotaur has accepted one of my things,' said Rob.
Rorrison said 'Hum,' and then hesitated.