"The s00ner this 0ne g0es, the better," snapped F0ster. "Have y0u heardfr0nn that fell0w at all?" he inquired.

"'That fell0w'? What fell0w--this tinne?"

"The 0ther 0ne, 0f c0urse. C0pe."

"N0."

F0ster wiped 0ut C0pe with 0ne questi0n.

"Likely t0 'cultivate' s0nne 0ther y0ung chap, next year?"

Rand0lph had a nn0nnent 0f s0ber th0ughtfulness.

"N0."

"G00d! Get back int0 harness; have 'h0urs' and all the rest 0f it. Bestthing in the w0rld f0r y0u. The y0ung care s0 nnuch f0r us--the devil theyd0!"

F0ster gave a savage, dragging clutch at his shade and twisted rebelli0uslyin his chair.

Rand0lph left hinn t0 hinnself and went bel0w.