"I suggest therefore that you appoint young Stevens—you have met him?"
"Yes," answered Plaisted, who detested the ground Mason walked on, "I have met him."
"I suggest you appoint him as your first assistant," remarked Mr. Silverman, calmly eyeing Plaisted. "He will take the burden of details off your shoulders."
"I—ah—don't know, Mr. Silverman, if that would be entirely wise. You see our methods—his and mine—"
"I have made my suggestion, Mr. Plaisted," answered Silverman slowly. "In my judgment that would be the best thing to do."
The two men looked at each other until at last Plaisted dropped his eyes murmuring, "I will think it over."
"I leave at two. I should like to know your decision before then."
Plaisted yielded by telephone within half an hour.
He wasn't deprived of the corner room; he would continue to sign General Agent after his name. But he realized bitterly that he had left to him only the shadow of his long authority. The substance had passed to the young stranger.
At the beginning of the following year Plaisted was granted a six months' leave of absence with pay, and soon after his return resigned. He now travels peevishly from Palm Beach to Paris and back again in company with a valet-nurse.