Page:The Relentless City.djvu/177

Rh he said.

He rose.

he said.

He stood silent a moment, then pulled himself together.

he said. They would think I was mad. Now and then, just now and then, I get like that, and then I would give all I have to get somebody to press out the wrinkles in my brain, and let it rest. I should be quite content to be poor, if I could forget all this fever in which my life has been spent. I might even do something as an art critic. There, it's all over. Sit down. There are the cigars by you.

he went on,

Bertie sat quite still a moment, with a huge up-leap of relief in his mind.

he said.

suggested Mr. Palmer dryly.

Bertie laughed; already he could laugh.

he said.

remarked Mr. Palmer.

Well, don't. My house doesn't charge so high. Now,