"Not even if I wanted to, sir," said the unbending Bassett.
Mr. Robert nodded, and taking some papers from his table held them before his face and surveyed the youth over the top. Bassett stood patiently to attention.
"That's all right," said the other; "thank you."
"Thank you, sir," said Bassett, turning to the door.
"By the way," said Mr. Robert, eying him curiously as he turned the handle, "what exercise do you take?"
"Exercise, sir?" said Bassett.
Mr. Robert nodded. "What do you do of an evening for amusement after the arduous toils of the day are past? Marbles?"
"No, sir," said the outraged one. "If I have any time to spare I amuse myself with a little shorthand."
"Amuse!" exclaimed the other. He threw himself back in his chair and, sternly checking its inclination to twirl again, sought for a flaw in the armour of this paragon. "And what else do you do in the way of recreation?"
"I've got a vivarium, sir."