But not now, Ferri, not yet."
"You're as wise as you are beautiful," said Ferriday, again. "I
can't see your beauty, but your wisdom shines in the dark. We'll
do great things together, Anita."
His arm tightened around her, reminding her that she was still
in his elbow. Before she was quite alive to his purpose his lips
touched her cheek.
"Don't do that!" she snapped. "How dare you!"
He laughed: "I forgot. The price on your kisses has just skyrocketed
to a million apiece. Don't forget my commission."
She growled pettishly. He spoke more soberly:
"You need me yet, little lady. Don't quench my enthusiasms too
roughly or I might take up some other pretty little girl as my
medium of expression. There are lots and lots of pretties born
every minute, but it takes years to make a director like me."
And she knew that this was true.
"I was only fooling," she said. "Don't be mad at me. You can kiss
me if you want to."
"I don't want to," he said, as hurt as an overgrown boy or
a prima donna.
The door opened, and a wave of light swept into the room. A voice
followed it.
"Is Miss Adair in there?"
"Yes," Kedzie answered, in confusion.
"Gent'man to see you."
It was Jim Dyckman. He followed closely and entered the room just as
Ferriday found the electric button and switched on the light.
Kedzie and Ferriday were both encouraged when they saw a look of
jealous suspicion cross his face. Ferriday hastened to explain:
"We've been editing Miss Adair's new film.
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