After the matter concerning the work on the Flat was disposed of, the two men continued their talk.
"Old Edgerly is still in throes of incredulity over your operations on this side of the hill, Max," the doctor said.
"Yes, I have heard her groanings from afar; queer why the old town should suffer so!"
"Yes, it is strange; father has been roaring like a lion, but he has taken to silence, absolute silence!"
Max smiled at thought of the stormy old man reduced to silence.
"I had not supposed it was so bad as that," he said.
There was the best of comradeship between the two men, although little had been said concerning the past. Events had run their course in such a manner that Dr. Eldrige Jr. felt that he had no grievance to cherish; and however slow one might be to accept the reformation in Max Morrison's character, the transformation in his life and work was patent to all.
Max leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands back of his head.
"It's a queer world we live in, doctor," he said, "a queer old world."
Dr. Eldrige Jr. regarded him in silence; he was not quite sure of Max's attitude toward conditions, as he had found them since his return to his native land, and he had no desire to probe an old wound nor to inflict a new one. And, at best, Dr. Eldrige was a man of few words.