"Well, but do you know that you contribute largely to my failure?"
"No," he replied; "how can that be?"
"It is in this way, Flanders: I can not write while you are in this building. Just so soon as you step into the elevator downstairs, my ideas droop and my pen splutters."
"I am sorry," he rejoined.
"I know you are," said I, "for there is not in the world a more sympathetic man than you are."
"If I am so sympathetic, then why should I disturb you so?"
"I don't know, Flanders, but you do disturb me. Now, I have a favor to ask of you."
"It shall be granted."
"It is this: please do not come into this building again."