"He is going to introduce me."
"Very gratifying, I am sure, sir."
George sighed dreamily.
"Life is very sweet, Mullett."
"For those that like it, sir,—yes, sir."
"Lead me to the ties," said George.
CHAPTER TWO
1
At the hour of seven-thirty, just when George Finch was trying out his fifth tie, a woman stood pacing the floor in the Byzantine boudoir at Number 16, Seventy-Ninth Street, East.
At first sight this statement may seem contradictory. Is it possible, the captious critic may ask, for a person simultaneously to stand and pace the floor? The answer is Yes, if he or she is sufficiently agitated as to the soul. You do it by placing yourself on a given spot and scrabbling the feet alternately like a cat kneading a hearth-rug. It is sometimes the only method by which strong women can keep from having hysterics.