He began to poke the floor with his stick.

"I don't know why you call it absurd ?" "To me it seems both absurd and extravagant," said the other with emphasis.

"The last thing I heard of you was that Burdon and Co.

had offered you a place in their office, and that you were prepared to take it.

When a man has lost his money and becomes dependent upon others, the sooner he gets to work the better." Roger Barnes reddened under the onslaught, and the sulky expression of his handsome mouth became more pronounced.