As for Lacy and O'Hara, both had remarked Quarren's abrupt retirement and his absence from that section of the social puddle which he was accustomed to embellish and splash in. O'Hara, inclining more toward sporting circles, noticed Quarren's absence less; but Lacy, after the first week, demanded an explanation at the dinner-table.
"You spoiled a party for Mrs. Lannis," he said—"and Winnifred Miller was almost in tears over the charity tableaux——"
"I wrote them both in plenty of time, Jack."
"Yes. But who is there to take your place? Whatever you touch is successful. Barent Van Dyne made a dub of himself."
"They must break in another pup," said Quarren, amused.
"You mean that you're chucking the whole bally thing for keeps?"
"Why?" asked O'Hara, looking up blankly.
"Oh," said Quarren laughing, "I'm curious to find out what business I really am in. Until this week I've never had time to discover that I was trying to be a broker in real estate. And I've just found out that I've been one for almost three years, and never knew it."
"One's own company is the best," growled Westguard. "The monkey people sicken you and the public make you ill. Solitude is the only remedy."