“Only to this extent: Any little personal misunderstandings—well, we've got to be businesslike and frank.... I'll tell you. This afternoon—just now, in fact—when I suggested to Zanin that I read it to the two of you, he objected. In fact he told me in so many words that you disliked me and didn't trust my understanding and that it would be necessary for him to act as a buffer between you and me.”
“Oh,” said she quickly, “that's absurd, of course!”
“Of course. He rather insisted on taking the scenario and reading it to you himself. Now that won't do.”
“I don't care who reads it to me,” said Sue coolly.
“Certainly not. Now, if you'll agree with me that there's nothing personal between us, that we're just whole-hearted workmen on a job, I...”
She raised her eyebrows a little, waking.
“...I came here with the idea of asking you to hunt Zanin up with me—making it a matter of company business, right now.”
“Oh,” said she, her independent spirt stirred, “I don't see that that's necessary. Why don't you go ahead—just read it to me?” She looked about the smoky busy room. “But it's noisy here. And people you know come in and want to talk. I'd ask you around to the rooms, only...”
“Only, Hy Lowe will be there.” Peter, feeling new ground under his feet, smiled.
Sue smiled a little herself.