AN EVENING PARTY AT EVALINA-ROAD.
“The people are not so prejudiced in America,” continued Harker, “and a man has greater chances. The English, as a rule, are slow to perceive the value of any new power of machinery.”
“That is true enough,” remarked Peace. “They are rather dense, it must be admitted, and are, as you observe, prejudiced. All we can do is to persevere and hope for the best.”
Here he called the attention of his guests to several drafts of machinery he proposed to patent.
Those present were duly impressed with the ability of their host—none of them at this time being at all aware of the character of the man who was so modest, so urbane, and so hospitable.
“I look upon my friend, Thompson, as a remarkably ingenious and clever man,” remarked Whittock; “and the more you know of him the more impressed you will be with this fact.”
“Ah, no doubt; we all agree upon that,” exclaimed several.
The social glass was filled, and the company began to settle themselves down for a pleasant evening, which, to say the truth, was an agreeable one to all.
Peace was in the best of spirits.