negotiation. He listened intently while Sellers put the case before
him, and, the statement ended, he said: "You think I ought to see
Varick?"

"I'm afraid I can't as yet. The doctor is obdurate. And this thing
can't wait. I hate to ask you, but no one else in the office knows
the ins and outs of it."

Waythorn stood silent. He did not care a farthing for the success of
Varick's venture, but the honor of the office was to be considered,
and he could hardly refuse to oblige his partner.

"Very well," he said, "I'll do it."

That afternoon, apprised by telephone, Varick called at the office.
Waythorn, waiting in his private room, wondered what the others
thought of it. The newspapers, at the time of Mrs. Waythorn's
marriage, had acquainted their readers with every detail of her
previous matrimonial ventures, and Waythorn could fancy the clerks
smiling behind Varick's back as he was ushered in.

Varick bore himself admirably. He was easy without being
undignified, and Waythorn was conscious of cutting a much less
impressive figure. Varick had no head for business, and the talk
prolonged itself for nearly an hour while Waythorn set forth with
scrupulous precision the details of the proposed transaction.

"I'm awfully obliged to you," Varick said as he rose. "The fact is
I'm not used to having much money to look after, and I don't want to
make an ass of myself--" He smiled, and Waythorn could not help