"Oh, isn't that good for us?" Olga asked.
"No, dear, it is not; I am short on wheat."
"What does short on wheat mean?" Olga asked.
"It means digging a pit for others and falling into it yourself," Millar remarked cynically. "However," he went on, "things are not so bad. I have reliable information that the later crop will be abundant."
"Good; I am delighted to learn this," Herman said, very much pleased with Millar, who now spoke pleasantly and ingratiatingly.
Karl had paid little attention to the colloquy between Herman and Millar. He tried to speak to Olga, but could not catch her eye. She seemed to wish to avoid him. She watched her opportunity, however, and managed to whisper to Millar:
"I want to speak with you alone."
Millar brought his subtlety into instant play. Turning to Herman he asked:
"By the way, have you seen the sketch of madam Karl made yesterday? It is atrociously bad."
"No; where is it? I would like to see it," Herman cried eagerly.