She seemed to have hardly heard him.
"Have you asked Mr. Tanqueray?"
"Not yet. You're the first I've asked. The very first."
"You should have asked him first."
"I didn't want him first."
"You should have wanted him. Why" (she persisted), "did you come to me before him?"
"Because you're so much more valuable to me."
"In what way?"
"Your name is better known."
"It oughtn't to be. If it's names you want——" She gave him a string of them.