'What departments did you visit this morning? Each has its busy days.'
'Grocery, electrical, and—let me see—yes, furniture.'
'Not a good day for that—too hot! Anything else?'
'No,' said Mr. Polycarp.
'Ah!... Well, and what is your clients' estimate?'
'Naturally, I cannot pretend—'
'Listen, Mr. Polycarp,' said Hugo, interrupting: 'I will be open with you.'
The lawyer nodded, appreciatively benign. As usual, he kept his thoughts to himself, but he had the air of adding Hugo to the vast collection of human curiosities which he had made during a prolonged professional career.
'My net trading profits last year were £106,000. You are surprised?'
'Somewhat.'