“You are not in a business humor?”
“I don’t like business to be my rival.”
“Do you regard as a rival the key that opens the door to you?”
“Sir, I disapprove of keys altogether. If my door is closed, no key can open it; and if it is open....” She made a gesture with her hand.
“I shall take you at your word,” said Fillmore quietly, after he had looked at her for a moment. There was something in his tone that conveyed more than any amount of conventional thanks and compliments. “As for business,” he continued, “you have already put that away from you by force and violence.”
Perdita laughed. “I have behaved like a fool, haven’t I?”
“That is what people would say.”
“What do you say?”
“I think you were wise.”
“Not even generous?”