There was an expression of comical consternation on the shipping clerk's face as he pointed to the broken vase.
"I'm not worrying about meeting him," he said ruefully. "I'm worrying about that—"
The next instant the door leading to the hall opened and Robert Stafford entered.
Chapter VIII
Their host advanced, hand extended, his frank, boyish face lit up with a cordial smile.
It was hard to realize that this youthful looking man with black hair not yet tinged by a suspicion of gray, and whose erect, athletic figure suggested the football field rather than the counting room, was one of the most influential railroad men in the country, the master of a large fortune amassed by his own painstaking efforts, his own energy, initiative and ability.
Attired himself in a plain business suit, a quick glance at his visitors' dress had already told him that he could dispense with the formality of changing for dinner. Shaking hands with Virginia, he said in his usual hearty fashion:
"Well, how are you? I'm so sorry I am late. Oku explained, didn't he?"