The Prophet watched him steadily. The studio became intensely still.
VIII
DULCIE ANSWERS
The studio door bell rang while Barres was at breakfast one morning late in June. Aristocrates leisurely answered the door, but shut it again immediately and walked out into the kitchenette without any explanation.
Selinda removed the breakfast cover and fetched the newspaper. Later, Aristocrates, having washed his master’s brushes, brought them into the studio mincingly, upon a silver service-salver.
“No letters?” inquired Barres, glancing up over the morning paper and laying aside his cigarette.
“No letters, suh. No co’espondence in any shape, fo’m or manner, suh.”
“Anybody to see me?” inquired Barres, always amused at Aristocrates’ flights of verbiage.
“Nobody, suh, excusin’ a persistless ’viduality inquihin’ fo’ you, suh.”