"This is a crowd," he commented. "This certainly is a crowd! Men of
millions, and men who don't know how they're going to meet the next note
due, but bluffing it through. Somebodies and nobodies. Kingfish and
minnows--and some of the kingfish are going to swallow the minnows at
the next gulp----What in the name of time is this we're eating now?"
I expressed my ignorance.
"And what's this we're to have with it?" he pursued. "Look out!"
He had known I would thank him for the warning. I shielded my glass from
an imminent bottle. It was the third time already, and the dinner was
not far on its way. I saw Hepatica shield hers--also for the third time.
A tiny flush was beginning to creep up Althea's cheeks. She had refused
only the first offering of the waiter.
The Promoter turned and viewed my empty glasses with ill-disguised
contempt. "We'll have to get you to stay in town long enough to overcome
those notions of yours," said he. "Look around you. I'll wager there's
not another in the room."
If I flushed it was not for either of the reasons which caused the
brilliant cheeks I saw all about me.
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