CHAPTER VII VISITORS AT THE OFFICE On the following morning Mike had to leave with the team for Philadelphia. Psmith came down to the ferry to see him off, and hung about moodily until the time of departure. "It is saddening me to a great extent, Comrade Jackson," he said, "this perpetual parting of the ways. When I think of the happy moments we have spent hand-in-hand across the seas, it fills me with a certain melancholy to have you flitting off in this manner without me. Yet there is another side to the picture. To me there is something singularly impressive in our unhesitating reply to the calls of Duty. Your Duty summons you to Philadelphia, to knock the cover off the local bowling. Mine retains me here, to play my part in the great work of making New York sit up. By the time you return, with a century or two, I trust, in your bag, the good work should, I fancy, be getting something of a move on. I will complete the arrangements with regard to the flat." After leaving Pleasant Street they had found Fourth Avenue by a devious route, and had opened negotiations for a large flat near Thirtieth Street. It was immediately above a saloon, which was something of a drawback, but the landlord had assured them that the voices of the revellers did not penetrate to it. * * * When the ferry-boat had borne Mike off across the river, Psmith turned to stroll to the office of _Cosy Moments_. The day was fine, and on the whole, despite Mike's desertion, he felt pleased with life. Psmith's was a nature which required a certain amount of stimulus in the way of gentle excitement; and it seemed to him that the conduct of the remodelled _Cosy Moments_ might supply this. He liked Billy Windsor, and looked forward to a not unenjoyable time till Mike should return. The offices of _Cosy Moments_ were in a large building in the street off Madison Avenue. They consisted of a sort of outer lair, where Pugsy Maloney spent his time reading tales of life in the prairies and heading off undesirable visitors; a small room, which would have belonged to the stenographer if _Cosy Moments_ had possessed one; and a larger room beyond, which was the editorial sanctum. As Psmith passed through the front door, Pugsy Maloney rose. "Say!" said Master Maloney. "Say on, Comrade Maloney," said Psmith. "Dey're in dere." "Who, precisely?" "A whole bunch of dem." Psmith inspected Master Maloney through his eye-glass. "Can you give me any particulars?" he asked patiently. "You are well-meaning, but vague, Comrade Maloney. Who are in there?" "De whole bunch of dem. Dere's Mr. Asher and the Rev. Philpotts and a gazebo what calls himself Waterman and about 'steen more of dem." A faint smile appeared upon Psmith's face. "And is Comrade Windsor in there, too, in the middle of them?" "Nope. Mr. Windsor's out to lunch." "Comrade Windsor knows his business. Why did you let them in?"