"You're improving, Paine," he observed.

"I'll give you a piece of advice; it has cost me a good deal to learn, but I'll give it to you: Don't ever let the other fellow make you mad." I remembered our first interview and I could not resist the temptation to retort.
"If my recollection is correct," I said, "you forgot that the first time we met." He laughed aloud.

"So I did," he admitted.

"Maybe if I hadn't it would not cost me so much to get my own way in your case." He walked out of the building.

I heard one exclamation from behind and, turning, saw Sam Wheeler, my youthful assistant, staring at me.
"My--gosh!" exclaimed Sam, his tone a mixture of wonder and admiration, "I don't see how you dast to talk back to him like that, Ros.