The butler disappeared and the host rejoined his guests. Addressing the shipping clerk amiably, he said:
"I'm glad you like this room, Mr. Gillie."
There was no sarcasm in his voice, nor did he intend any. The railroad promoter was in good humor that evening, and he wanted his guests to feel perfectly at home, but Jimmie, in his ignorant egotism thought that his host was really flattered by his praise. Patronizingly, he said:
"I do, for a fact. I think it's all right."
Pointing to the library beyond, the millionaire said carelessly:
"My best things are in that room. But there are some here that are rather good, I think. Did you notice this?" He picked up from a table a piece of carved ivory and held it so that all might see. "It was carved by a Japanese master nearly eight hundred years ago."
"Did he get much for it?" asked Jimmie, opening wide his eyes.
"Who," smiled Stafford, "the carver?"
"Yes."
"Probably a few cents a day."