For part of the
time, I daresay I should like--just to talk."
Sharlee went upstairs, and stood for a long time gazing at herself in
the mirror. Vainly she tried to glean from it the answer to a most
interesting conundrum: Did Mr. Queed still think her very beautiful?
XXV
_Recording a Discussion about the Reformatory between Editor West
and his Dog-like Admirer, the City Boss; and a Briefer Conversation
between West and Prof. Nicolovius's Boarder._
About one o'clock the telephone rang sharply, and Queed, just arrived
for the afternoon work and alone in the office, answered it. It was the
Rev. Mr. Dayne, Secretary of the Department of Charities; he had learned
that the reformatory bill was to be called up in the house next day. The
double-faced politicians of the machine, said Mr. Dayne, with their
pretended zeal for economy, were desperately afraid of the Post. Would
Mr. Queed be kind enough to hit a final ringing blow for the right in
to-morrow's paper?
"That our position to-day is as strong as it is," said the kind, firm
voice, "is due largely to your splendid work, Mr.
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