Mr. Walcott turned towards his partner with a smile. "Mr. Darrell is evidently a prime favorite with the ladies," he remarked, pleasantly.
"Well, they don't want to try any of their prime favorite business on me," retorted Mr. Underwood, as he slowly turned and left the room.
Both young men laughed, and Walcott, with an easy, nonchalant air, seated himself near Darrell.
"I find the old gentleman has a keen sense of humor," he said, still smiling; "but some of his jokes are inclined to be a little ponderous at times."
"His humor generally lies along the lines of sarcasm," Darrell replied.
"Ah, something of a cynic, is he?"
"No," said Darrell; "he has too kind a heart to be cynical, but he is very fond of concealing it by sarcasm and brusqueness."
"He is quite original and unique in his way. I find him really a much more agreeable man than I antici
pated. You have very pleasant quarters here, Mr. Darrell. I should judge you intended this as a sort of study as well as an office."
"I do intend it so. Probably for a while I shall do more studying than anything else, as it may be some time before I get any assaying."