Mr. Fortune had already frowned to see Sabre upon the arm of the chair, a position for which the arm was not intended. His frown deepened. "What partnership business?"
"Well, you recollect promising me--being good enough to promise me--_twice_--that I was going to come into partnership--"
Mr. Fortune folded his hands upon the whale-like front. "I certainly do not recollect that, Sabre." He raised a hand responsive to a gesture. "Allow me. I recollect no _promise_. Either twice or any other number of times, greater or fewer. I _do_ recollect mentioning to you the _possibility_ of my making you such a proposal in my good time. Is that what you refer to as 'this partnership business'?"
"Yes--partly. Well, look here, sir, it's _been_ a pretty good time, hasn't it? I mean since you spoke of it."
Mr. Fortune tugged strongly at his watch by its gold chain and looked at the watch rather as though he expected to see the extent of the good time there recorded. He forced it back with both hands rather as though it had failed of this duty and was being crammed away in disgrace. "I am expecting Canon Toomuch." He hit the watch, cowering (as one might suppose) in his pocket. "You know, my dear Sabre, I do think this is a little odd. A little unusual. You cannot _bounce_ into a partnership, Sabre. I know your manner. I know your manner well. Oblige me by not fiddling with that paper knife. Thank you. And I make allowances for your manner. But believe me a partnership is not to be _bounced_ into. You give me the impression--I do not say you mean it, I say you _give_ it--of suddenly and without due cause or just im--just opportunity, trying to _bounce_ me into taking you into partnership. I most emphatically am not to be _bounced_, Sabre. I never have been bounced and you may quite safely take it from me that I never propose or intend to be _bounced_."
Sabre thought, "Well, it would take a steam crane to bounce you, anyway." He said. "I hadn't the faintest intention of doing any such thing. If I made you think so, I'm sorry. I simply wanted to ask if you have changed your mind, and if so why. I mean, whether I have given you any cause for dissatisfaction since you prom--since you first mentioned it to me."