What had we better do?'
'It seems to me,' said John, after a pause, 'that we can do nothing. It
is a very perplexing situation. I think, however, we should turn it over
in our minds for a few days, and then I can get to America in plenty of
time, if necessary.'
'Very well, suppose we give them ten days to get to the mine and reply.
If no reply comes by the eleventh day then you will still have eighteen
or nineteen days before the option expires. Put it at twelve days. I
propose, if you hear nothing by then, you go over.'
'Right,' said John; 'we may take that as settled.'
'By the way, you got an invitation to-day, did you not?'
'Yes.'
'Are you going?'
'I do not know. I should like to go and yet, you know, I am entirely
unused to fashionable assemblages. I should not know what to say or do
while I was there.'
'As I understand, it is not to be a fashionable party, but merely a
little friendly gathering which Miss Longworth gives because her cousin
is about to sail for Canada. I don't want to flatter you, John, at all,
but I imagine Miss Longworth would be rather disappointed if you did not
put in an appearance. Besides, as we are partners with Longworth in this,
and as he is going away on account of the mine. I think it would be a
little ungracious of us not to go.'
'Very well, I will go. Shall I call for you, or will you come for me?'
'I will call for you and we will go there together in a cab. Be ready
about eight o'clock.
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