"Then why the deuce didn't you jump at Tausig's offer? Were you really crafty enough—"
"I am artiste, Monsieur Obermuller," I gutturaled like Mademoiselle Picotte, who dances on the wire. "I moost have about me those who arre—who arre congeniale—"
"You monkey!" he laughed. "Then, when Tausig comes to buy your contract—"
"We'll tell him to go to thunder."
He laughed. Say, Mag, that big fellow is like a boy when he's pleased. I guess that's what makes it such fun to please him.
"And I, who admired your business sagacity in holding off, Nance!" he said.
"I thought you admired my take-off! of Mademoiselle Picotte."
"Well?"
"Well, why don't you make use of it? Take me round to the theaters and let me mimic all the swell actors and actresses. I've got more chance with you than with that Trust gang. They wouldn't give me room to do my own stunt; they'd make me fit into theirs. But you—"
"But me! You think you can wind me round your finger?"