"Of course he's fine," said Miss Goodenough; "but you've quite worn him
out."
"Have I quite worn you out?" Mr. Betterman calmly inquired.
As if indeed finished, each thumb now in a pocket of his trousers, the
young man dimly smiled. "I think you must have--quite."
"Well, let Miss Mumby look after you. He'll find her there?" his uncle
asked of her colleague. And then as the latter showed at this her first
indecision, "Isn't she somewhere round?" he demanded.
Miss Goodenough had wavered, but as if it really mattered for the friend
there present she responsibly concluded. "Well, no--just for a while."
And she appealed to Gray's indulgence. "She's had to go to Mr. Gaw."
"Why, is Mr. Gaw sick?" Mr. Betterman asked with detachment.
"That's what we shall know when she comes back. She'll come back all
right," she continued for Gray's encouragement.