"Yes."
"Looking after things there, I suppose? I passed him on the street yesterday, but he didn't see me."
"You passed him yesterday?" breathlessly.
"Yes. The opening and the strain of the rehearsal knocked him out, didn't it? He looked as gaunt as a monk."
"Jarvis takes things very seriously."
"By the way, how did he take your joke?"
She looked directly at him and answered frankly: "He didn't think it was funny at all."
"Oh, that's a pity."
"I'm through with jokes, Richard, through with them for all time," she said, her lips quivering.
"Oh, no—try one on me, I'd like it," he laughed to cover her emotion, and changed the subject quickly.