He should have remarked casually that he had had a hard day on Stage Number Four, and must now be off to a good night's rest because of the equally hard day to-morrow.
Thus he could now have approached the gate with confidence and passed freely in, with a few more pleasant words to the watchman who would have no difficulty in recalling him.
But it was vain to wish this.

For all the watchman knew this young man had never been beyond the walls of the forbidden city, nor would he know any reason why the besieger should not forever be kept outside.

He would fix that next time.
He approached the window of the casting office with mingled emotions.

He did not hope to find his friend again stricken with headache, but if it chanced that she did suffer he hoped to be the first to learn of it.

Was he not fortified with the potent Eezo wafers, and a new menthol pencil, even with an additional remedy of tablets that the druggist had strongly recommended?
It was, therefore, not with any actual, crude disappointment that he learned of his friend's perfect well-being.