"Good morning, Mr. Mears;" and she looked at his solemn face. "Anything out of the way?"
"Yes. Some news from California."
"Ah!" And she pointed to the letter in his hand. "Is it the news that we had reason to expect?"
"Yes.... It's all over;" and Mr. Mears placed a chair for her, near the newspaper table.
She sat down, took the letter, spread it open on the table; and, shading her eyes with a hand, began to read it.
"Mr. Mears!" She spoke without looking up. "I shall do no work to-day. Tell them all that I cannot see them."
In the lofty corridor the doors of the managers' rooms were opening; the chieftains were bringing their reports; secretaries and clerks were silently assembling.
Mr. Mears left the room, whisperingly dismissed everybody; and with closed lips and noiseless footsteps, the little crowd dispersed.
When he returned to the room she spoke to him again, still without raising her eyes.
"The car has gone home, of course. Please telephone to the house, and tell them to send it back for me at once."