"No," said his partner, briskly. "I've finished."
"Then perhaps you wouldn't mind doing my work for me, so that I can go?" said Mr. Swann, mildly.
Hardy played with his pen. The senior partner had been amusing himself at his expense for some time, and in the hope of a favour at his hands he had endured it with unusual patience.
"Four o'clock," murmured the senior partner; "hadn't you better see about making yourself presentable, Hardy?"
"Thanks," said the other, with alacrity, as he took off his coat and crossed over to the little washstand. In five minutes he had finished his toilet and, giving his partner a little friendly pat on the shoulder, locked up his desk.
"Well?" he said, at last.
"Well?" repeated Mr. Swann, with a little surprise.
"What am I to tell them?" inquired Hardy, struggling to keep his temper.