[quirks-users] "I'm sorry, but I can't, dear. This is

[Kracht <ho...@sc...>]

 Tomes left the room: "Well, here he is--the editor himself, Eddie. You
can say it all to him." "I don't want to see such fellows," Verriman
began. "Stay and protect me, Eddie. He may have a bomb in his pocket."
"You don't really believe that he's come to--" "No, Eddie, I don't. I
think he's come like young Lochinvar--to dance a little late at the
wedding. To try to persuade me to accept that lazy, good-looking brother
of his as a son-in-law. He'll have quite a job over that." Then, as the
door opened, Mr. Cord's eyes concentrated on it and his manner became a
shade sharper. "Ah, Mr. Moreton, good morning. Mr. Verriman--Mr.
Moreton." Ben was a good-looking young man, but it was his
expression--at once illuminated and determined--that made him unusual.
And the effect of his night and morning had been to intensify this, so
that now, as he stood a moment in the doorway, he was a very attractive
and compelling figure. "I came to see my brother, Mr. Cord," he said,
simply, "but I hear he's not here any more. If I could speak to you
alone for a few minutes--" He glanced at Eddie, whom he instantly
recognized as the man who had not known how to talk to the woman in the
world best worth talking to. "Oh, you may speak before Mr. Verriman,"
said Cord. "He knows the situation--knows your brother--knows my
children--knows about you. In fact, we were just speaking about your
paper when you came in. However, I must tell you that Mr. Verriman
doesn't approve of _Liberty_. At least, I believe I understood yo