Tavernake, stolid, unruffled, at that time without comprehension, approached the desk.
"This is--er--Mr.Tavernake, our manager," Mr.Dowling announced, obsequiously.

"In the absence of my son, he is in charge of the letting department.

I have no doubt that he will be able to suggest something suitable.

Tavernake," he continued, "this lady,"-- he glanced at a card in front of him--"Mrs.Wenham Gardner of New York, is looking for a town house, and has been kind enough to favor us with an inquiry." Tavernake made no immediate reply.

Mr.Dowling was shortsighted, and in any case it would never have occurred to him to associate nervousness, or any form of emotion, with his responsible manager.