“Has the handle of my suitcase been repaired yet?” he asked. He was lighting a cigarette at the time.
“Yes. Why?”
“I'll have to run over to New York to-morrow. I wanted Joe to go alone, but he thinks he needs me.” Joe was his partner. “Oh. So Joe's going?”
“That's what I said.”
She was silent. Joe's going was clever of him. It gave authenticity to his business, and it kept her at home.
“How long shall you be gone?”
“Only a day or two.” He could not entirely keep the relief out of his voice. It had been easy, incredibly easy. He might have done it a month ago. And he had told the truth; Joe was going.
“I'll pack to-night, and take my suitcase in with me in the morning.”
“If you'll get your things out I'll pack them.” She was still thinking, but her tone was indifferent. “You won't want your dress clothes, of course.”
“I'd better have a dinner suit.”