Mr. Cutt looked at Mr. Slashem, with a startled expression.
"In that case, I am glad we escaped it," he said. "We shouldn't like that sort of an affair, of course."
Mr. Weil, who knew both the gentlemen well, inquired what they thought of Mrs. Hotbox's production.
"I have never seen it," said Mr. Slashem.
"Nor I," said Mr. Cutt.
The partners disappeared into the counting-room, where they had an interview with a binder who had offered to do their work at one-tenth of a cent a hundred copies less than the concern with which they were then dealing. Archie said good-by to Gouger, and went off to find Roseleaf, with whom he had engaged to take, later in the day, a ride through the Park.
"How soon am I to see your paragon?" sighed the young man, as they were making the grand round of that famous drive.
"Within a week, I hope. Are you getting uneasy?"
"I am getting lonesome," was the gloomy reply. "And I want to begin work."
"Well, it will soon pass now. To-morrow evening I am to hear another installment of her novel. Two more sittings after that will finish it, I should say. And the next thing will be—you. But have you seen no one else in all this time that you care for?"