He shook his head in weary doubt, and sighed.
"Probably," he said, fumbling with a pen and avoiding her eyes—"I presume—you'd better come back in a day or two—say Tuesday. That will give me time to look round and see what I can scare up for you. Or perhaps Wednesday would be even better...."
He dropped the pen and rose, his manner inviting her to leave.
"Wednesday?" she repeated, reluctantly getting up again.
"At four, if that's convenient."
"Yes, indeed, it is. And ... thank you so much ... Jack."
"No, no," Matthias expostulated wearily.
"No, I mean it," she insisted. "You're awf'ly sweet not to be—unkind to me."
"Believe me, I could never be that."
"Then—g'dafternoon."