He has been out on business all the morning; and the partners, as they walk toward the pretty little house in which they both live at the end of the garden, discuss matters of business in a friendly way.
"I have been at Prochasson's," says Fromont.

"They showed me some new patterns, pretty ones too, I assure you.

We must be on our guard.

They are dangerous rivals." But Risler is not at all anxious.

He is strong in his talent, his experience; and then--but this is strictly confidential--he is on the track of a wonderful invention, an improved printing-press, something that--but we shall see.