“Really,” said Congreve, laughing in a constrained manner, “you appear to be very cautious.”
“We have to be.”
“Shall I tell Mr. Baker it will be necessary for him to come to New York in person to dispose of his bonds? He is my uncle, and I simply am doing him a favor in disposing of them.”
“Very possibly; but I think we won’t purchase them.”
“Oh, well! I can carry them elsewhere,” said Congreve, raging inwardly.
His acquaintance, whose recognition had interfered with his plans, followed him to the door, in rather a perplexed frame of mind.
“Where have you been all summer, Congreve?” he asked, thinking it best to ignore the scene which he had just witnessed.
“None of your business,” answered Congreve, sharply.
“What does this mean?” asked the young man, in astonishment.
“It means, sir, that I do not wish to keep up my acquaintance with you. Didn’t you know any better than to blurt out my name just now, and so get me into trouble?”