Mr. Wiles forced a smile on his right cheek, which he turned to the smiter, but permitted the left to indulge in unlimited malevolence. “I wanted merely to know if you have looked into that matter?” he said meekly.
“I've looked into it and round it and across it and over it and through it,” responded the man gravely, with his eyes fixed on Wiles.
“And you have perused all the papers?” continued Mr. Wiles.
“I've read every paper, every speech, every affidavit, every decision, every argument,” said the stranger as if repeating a formula.
Mr. Wiles attempted to conceal his embarrassment by an easy, right-handed smile, that went off sardonically on the left, and continued: “Then I hope, my dear sir, that, having thoroughly mastered the case, you are inclined to be favorable to us?”
The gentleman in the bed did not reply, but apparently nestled more closely beneath the coverlids.
“I have brought the shares I spoke of,” continued Mr. Wiles, insinuatingly.
“Hev you a friend within call?” interrupted the recumbent man gently.
“I don't quite understand!” smiled Mr. Wiles. “Of course any name you might suggest—”
“Hev you a friend, any chap that you might waltz in here at a moment's call?” continued the man in bed. “No? Do you know any of them waiters in the house? Thar's a bell over yan!” and he motioned with his eyes towards the wall, but did not otherwise move his body.