"Polly is so anxious to help his sister," Jasper made out to say.
"Well, that's no reason why the fellow should hang around forever," declared Pickering angrily.
"Why, he's gone abroad!" exclaimed Jasper, "long ago."
"Ah, but he's coming back," said Pickering, with a sage nod, and knocking off the ashes from his cigar end.
"Is that so?" cried Jasper, in astonishment.
"Yes, 'tis," declared Pickering, nodding again, "and I don't like it. You know as well as I do," squaring around on Jasper, "that he don't care a rap about his sister's getting on; he's only thinking of Polly, and I love her."
Seeing that something was expected of him, Jasper made out to say, "You do?"
"Of course I do; and you know it, and every one knows it, or ought to; I haven't ever tried to conceal it," said Pickering proudly.
"How do you know that Loughead is coming back?" asked Jasper abruptly.
"How do I know? The best way in the world." Pickering moved uneasily in his chair. "Hibbard Crane had a letter yesterday; that's the reason I threw my traps together and started for you."