"I've known him sacrifice a third of it for an indigo market report. Now, I ask you, who reads an indigo market report? Nobody. Who wants to know how Jimmy Finnigan's—how the Stanhope Company's latest novelties went off? Everybody. Of course, when he does that sort of thing, I make it warm for him next morning."
The door again opened and admitted a harassed little Babu in spectacles, bearing a sheaf of proof slips, who advanced timidly into the middle of the room and paused.
"In a few minutes, Babu," said Mr. Sinclair; "I am engaged."
"It iss the Council isspeech of the Legal Member, sir, and it iss to go at five p. m. to his house for last correction."
"Presently, Babu. Don't interrupt. As I was saying, Miss Howe, I make it warm for him till he apologises. I must say he always apologises, and I don't often ask more than that. But I was obliged to tell him the last time that if it happened again one of us would have to go."
"What did he say to that?"
"I don't exactly remember. But it had a tremendous effect—tremendous. We became good friends almost immediately."
"Quite so. We miss you when you don't come, Mr. Sinclair—last Saturday night, for example."
"I had to go to the Surprise Party. Jimmy came here with tears in his eyes that morning. 'My show is tumbling to pieces,' he said. 'Sinclair, you've got to come to-night.' Made me dine with him—wouldn't let me out of his sight. We had to send a reporter to you and Llewellyn that night."
"Mr. Sinclair, the notice made me weep."