noon
So completely had he identified himself with The Patriot that he subconsciously regarded himself as essential to its prosperity if not to its actual existence . Therein he was supported by all the expert opinion of Park Row . Already he had accepted one modification of his contract , and his takings for new circulation were now twenty-five cents per unit per year instead of fifty cents as formerly . But Tertius Marrineal and his business manager , a shrewd and practical gentleman named Haring , had done a vast deal of expert figuring , as a result of which the owner strolled into his editor 's office one noon with his casual air of having nothing else to do , and pleasantly inquired : `` Busy ? '' `` If I were n't , I would n't be worth much , '' returned Banneker , in a cheerful tone . `` Well , if you can spare me fifteen minutes -- '' `` Sit down . '' Banneker swiveled his chair to face the other .