And I hate to intrude on a directors' meeting,--that is, if there's no necessity.

And yet,--it seems as if I must!" "Oh, do," cried Elise; "you really must, Patty! Why, Bill would reproach you if you didn't." So Patty called Farnsworth's office.

Bill's business consisted of varied interests.

He was a consulting engineer, he was a mining expert, and he was still connected with government work.

So, frequently, he could not be found in his office, though he usually left word where Patty could get in touch with him.
But in this instance it was not so.