"No, it isn't," he said, bluntly.
"Howard," Laura broke in, "do tell Freddy the news!"
"It isn't much," he said, modestly; "I'm ordered off; that's all."
"Ordered off?" Fred repeated; "where?"
"Philippines," Laura said. "Government expedition. Shells and things. Starts Wednesday."
"I've wanted to go ever since I was a kid," Howard explained. "It's the Coast Survey, and I've been pulling legs all winter for a berth, and now I've got it. I came in to see you pipe your eye with grief at my departure."
"Grief? Good riddance! You lost me a client, taking me out to see those fool flats in Dawsonville. Have another cigarette. Lolly, how about you?"
"No," Laura sighed. "Billy-boy would have a fit if I smoked." She looked at Fred a little enviously. "I'm crazy to," she confessed.
"Oh, don't," Maitland said; "it isn't your style, Laura."