"No," said Mr. Hazeltine, obeying orders with exactitude. "Captain Hedge
is out just now."

"'Gusty"--somehow the name didn't seem to fit--was manifestly
disappointed.

"Oh, dear!" she said, and then added, "Will he be back soon?"

Now this was a question unprovided for. Ralph stammered, and then
miserably equivocated. He really couldn't say just when the Captain
would return.

"Oh, dear!" said the young lady again. Then she seemed to be waiting for
some further observation on the part of the gentleman at the door. None
being forthcoming, she seemed to make up her mind to act on her own
initiative.

"I think I will come in and wait," she said with decision. And come
in she did, Mr. Hazeltine not knowing exactly what to do, under the
circumstances.

Now this was much more in keeping with the electrician's preconceived
ideas of a book agent's behavior; nevertheless, when he turned and found
the young lady standing in the middle of the floor, he felt obliged to
be at least decently polite.

"Won't you take a chair?" he asked.

"Thank you," said the caller, and took one.