"I missed you at breakfast." "I was sleeping off the effect of my intellectual debauch--it takes time to recover from a dinner with 'Materialism,' 'Sensual,' 'Ragtime' and 'The Age'," the other returned, the menu in his hand.

"What slop are they offering to put in our troughs for this noon's feed ?" Again, Aaron King laughed.

But as the novelist, with characteristic comments and instructions to the waitress, ordered his lunch, the artist watched him as though waiting with interest his further remarks on the subject of his evening with the Taines.
When the girl was gone, Conrad Lagrange turned again to his companion, and from under his scowling brows regarded him much as a withered scientist might regard an interesting insect under his glass.

"Permit me to congratulate you," he said suggestively--as though the bug had succeeded in acting in some manner fully expected by the scientist but wholly disgusting to him.
The artist colored again as he returned curiously, "Upon what ?" "Upon the start you have made toward the goal you hope to reach." "What do you mean ?" "Mrs.Taine wants you." "You are pleased to be facetious." Under the eyes of his companion, Aaron King felt that his reply did not at all conceal his satisfaction.
"I am pleased to be exact.

I repeat--Mrs.Taine wants you.