"Most certainly," she answered.
"Would you mind giving me your hand on it?"
Dolly laughed, and held out her hand. What a bit of a hand it was! Mr. Lang took it in his as he might have taken a fragile piece of china, and appeared excessively uncomfortable now he had got what he desired.
"There is one thing more I would wish to say, ma'am," he remarked, when, this ceremony concluded, an awkward pause seemed impending.
"Why do you not say it then?" asked Mrs. Mortomley.
"Because I am afraid of offending. But I may just observe that I hope you won't think of making Mr. Rupert one of our firm."
"Mr. Rupert!" she repeated in surprise. "He has done with business for ever. He would never wish to be connected with it again."
"But if he did, ma'am?"
"I should not wish it," Mrs. Mortomley answered. Then added, "I would not have Mr. Rupert in any business in which I had any interest. I am certain he would do his best to serve me or his uncle, but I do not think he has any especial genius for colour making."