Success - A Novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams
page 296 of 811 (36%)
page 296 of 811 (36%)
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Wickert ignored the gibe. Such was the greatness of his tidings that he could afford to. "Our firm was giving a banquet to some buyers and big folks in the trade. Private room upstairs; music, flowers, champagne by the case. We do things in style when we do 'em. They sent me up after hours with an important message to our Mr. Webler; he was in charge of arrangements." "Been promoted to be messenger, ay?" put in Mr. Hainer, chuckling. "When I came downstairs," continued the other with only a venomous glance toward the seat of the scorner, "I thought to myself what's the matter with taking a look at the swells feeding in the big restaurant. You may not know it, people, but Sherry's is the ree-churchiest place in Nuh Yawk to eat dinner. It's got 'em all beat. So I stopped at the door and took 'em in. Swell? Oh, you dolls! I stood there trying to work up the nerve to go in and siddown and order a plate of stew or something that wouldn't stick me more'n a dollar, just to _say_ I'd been dining at Sherry's, when I looked across the room, and whadda you think?" He paused, leaned forward, and shot out the climactic word, "Banneker!" "Having his dinner there?" asked the incredulous but fascinated Mrs. Brashear. "Like he owned the place. Table to himself, against the wall. Waiter fussin' over him like he loved him. And dressed! Oh, Gee!" "Did you speak to him?" asked Lambert. |
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