Some journals prophesied that the Grand Babylon would have to close its doors within half a year now that Rocco had deserted it.

But of course I knew better.

I knew that you must have a good reason for allowing Rocco to depart, and that you must have made arrangements in advance for a substitute.' 'As a matter of fact, I had not made arrangements in advance,' said Theodore Racksole, a little ruefully; 'but happily we have found in our second sous-chef an artist inferior only to Rocco himself.

That, however, was mere good fortune.' 'Surely,' said Babylon, 'it was indiscreet to trust to mere good fortune in such a serious matter ?' 'I didn't trust to mere good fortune.

I didn't trust to anything except Rocco, and he deceived me.' 'But why did you quarrel with him ?' 'I didn't quarrel with him.