Summary of romance of a busy broker by o.Henry
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The Romance of a Busy Broker' opens with the start of a workday in Harvey Maxwell's broker's office. Harvey walks in with Miss Leslie, his beautiful stenographer, or one who converts dictation into shorthand, by his side. Harvey's preoccupied, but not in his usual robotic way. His clerk, Pitcher, notices that Miss Leslie is behaving differently, too. She has a new glow to her.
It takes a few moments, but Harvey gets into his work mind frame, where he usually loses himself. After hanging about Harvey's desk for a few moments, Miss Leslie decides to leave. On the way out, she asks Pitcher if he got orders from Harvey to replace her yet. He confirms that he has but says nothing has been sent by the agency. So she goes back to her job as usual.
The day gets busy with telegrams and phone calls coming in, stocks and bonds being sold and bought, loans and mortgages being tended to. Every second in their day counts; they have none to spare. Pitcher is running around as busy as can be when suddenly a boldly dressed, poised woman shows up at the office. She is the replacement stenographer sent by the agency as had been requested the previous day. Pitcher informs Harvey of her purpose, at which time Harvey becomes agitated. He denies ever asking Pitcher to do such a thing, and says that Miss Leslie is perfect for the job and can keep it for as long as she wants. The lady is sent away. Confused, Pitcher tells a colleague that the 'old man' is losing his mind.
The day gets even busier. Everyone is working like machines until lunch time. Then there's a decline in the madness, enough of a decline to make Harvey aware of Miss Leslie's perfume that just filled the office. She has a distinct lilac perfume. He decides that this is the perfect moment to ask her.