"I don't do a man's work."
"No, sir, you don't."
"You do still less."
On this point Mr. Gibb was discreetly silent; he seemed to be turning something over in his mind, of which he presently gave Mr. Hooper the benefit.
"I think, sir, I've got an idea of something you might give Miss Lindsay to do."
"Let's have it; you know, Mr. Gibb, any pearls of wisdom which you may drop are always welcome."
"You remember, sir, when I first came you gave me some papers which you said I might copy when I'd nothing else to do."
"I have some dim recollection of something of the kind. Well, have they been copied?"
"No, sir, they haven't."
"How long have you had them?"