“Yes,” said Phonny, “let’s go now and ask him.”
“Well,” said Stuyvesant, “I am willing.”
“Only,” said Phonny, “we must not tell him what the question is about.”
“No,” said Stuyvesant.
So the boys went together up to Wallace’s room. They found him in his alcove as before. They advanced to the table, and Wallace looked up to them to hear what they had to say.
“B. had an hour to consider of his offer,” said Phonny, “don’t you think that that was enough?”
Phonny was very indiscreet, indeed, in asking the question in that form, for it showed at once that whatever might be the subject of the discussion, he was not himself the person represented by B. It was now no longer possible for Wallace to look at the question purely in its abstract character.
“Now I know,” said Wallace, “which is B., and of course you may as well tell me all about it.”
Phonny looked at Stuyvesant with an expression of surprise and concern upon his countenance.