Part 27 (1/2)
”When?”
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”TELL YOUR HUSBAND TO PUT YOU IN A PLAY, AND I'LL PUT IT ON.” ”MUCH OBLIGED, I'LL TELL HIM. GOOD MORNING.”]
”As soon as I can.”
”But we have to go home next Thursday.”
”You don't expect me to read it before then?”
”Couldn't you?”
”I wouldn't read Pinero's latest before then.”
”How soon would you read it?”
”I've got nine productions to look after. I only read on trains. I'm going to Buffalo to-night.”
”Then you could take it along to-night?” she cried happily.
”Say, who let you in here, anyhow?”
”You did.”
”I've got no time to talk to anybody.”
”I'm not anybody. I'm I. Just promise me you'll read it to-night and I'll go.”
”Is this it? Name and address on it?”
She nodded.
”All right. To-night. Now get out!”
”Thanks. I've had such a nice call.” As she reached the door he spoke.
”Tell your husband to put you in a play and I'll put it on.”
”Much obliged. I'll tell him. Good morning.”
She made her farewells to Robert Mantell Moses, went out and down the street. It was definitely settled in her mind that she was to market Jarvis's wares. She had a gift for it, a desperate courage in a crisis, that made her do anything to win her point and get what she came for.
Jarvis would, no doubt, be sitting, still. He was waiting for her at the club.
”I was getting anxious about you. Did you go to a doctor?”
”Doctor?”
”For your head?”
”Oh, my head. I'd forgotten all about it. After you left, I felt so much better that I decided to go out.”