"I have something to say that's not for your ears.

Let her go, Darden.

There's news, I tell you." The minister glanced at his wife; then knocked the ashes from his pipe and nodded dismissal to Audrey.

His late secretary slipped from her seat and left the room, not without alacrity.
"Well ?" demanded Darden, when the sound of the quick young feet had died away.

"Open your budget, Deborah.