Blake nodded absently, and went on with his last diagram. When he had finished it, he looked up and perceived his friend standing graceful and debonair in the centre of the room.
"Why, hello, Jimmy," he said, as if only just aware of the other's presence. "Can't you find a chair?"
"How's the dam?"
"Dam 'fi 'no," punned Blake. He slapped his pencil down on the desk, and flung up his arms to stretch his cramped body.
"You need a breather," advised Lord James.
"Young Ashton came 'round to my hotel last evening. Wanted me to go to some bally musical comedy—little supper afterward with two of the show-girls—all that. I had another engagement. He then asked me to drop around this morning and take my pick of his stable. Wants me to ride one of his mounts while I'm here, you know. Suppose you come up-town with me and help me pick out a beast."
"No," said Blake. "Less I see of that papa's boy the better I'll like him."
"Oh, but as a fellow-engineer, y'know," minced Lord James.
"You love him 'bout as much as I do."
Lord James adjusted the pink carnation in his lapel, and casually remarked: "You'll be calling at the Leslies' this afternoon, I daresay."