"Humph!" she snorts. "This is too absurd of Mr. Robert—wholly absurd! Come, Verona."
And as she sails out I just has time for a glance at Vee, and catches a wink. Believe me, though, a friendly wink from one of them gray eyes is worth waitin' for! She follows Aunty through the door with a handkerchief stuffed in her mouth like she was smotherin' a snicker; so I guess Vee was on. And I'm left feelin' all warmed up and chirky.
Mr. Robert comes in from his lawyer session just before closin' time; rubbin' his hands sort of satisfied too.
"Well," says I, jumpin' up from the swing-chair, "it was some jolt you slipped Aunty. I expect I can resign now?"
"Oh, I trust not," says he. "The board indorsed your appointment an hour ago. Keep your desk, Torchy. It is to be yours from now on."
"Wh-a-a-at?" says I, my eyes bugged. "Off the gate for good, am I?"
"We are hoping," says he, "that the gate's loss will be the Funding Company's gain."
I gurgles gaspy a couple of times before I catches my breath. "Will it?" says I. "Say, just watch me! I'm goin' to show you that fundin' is my long suit!"