"I wish I had."
"Don't you worry; your wish was granted before it was uttered. I'll show you where some of it is, if you like."
In his turn Mr. Luker for a while was still. Then stopping, he held out his hand.
"I wish you good-afternoon, Mrs. Lamb."
"You needn't; I'm coming with you."
"I'm afraid I have an appointment which will prevent my enjoying the pleasure of your company any longer."
"Oh no, you haven't. Besides, it will make no difference if you have--I'm coming with you."
"You are coming with me? What do you mean?"
"I mean that I'm going to accompany you to your private residence, Mr. Luker. I want to have a quiet chat with you. I can have it there better than anywhere else. We shall be snug, and all by ourselves."
He looked at her with his bleared, half-open eyes--he seemed to be physically incapable of opening them to their full extent--with an expression which some ladies would not have considered flattering, nor were his words exactly complimentary.