"As you, Ben," interposed his father proudly.
"Well, I wasn't thinking of myself particularly," Mr. Benjamin continued, twirling an incipient mustache, and looking pleased. "But when Tommy introduced him as Lord Mossford, I was that surprised I nearly dropped my glass."
"What did you say to him, Ben?" asked the little old gentleman in an awed tone.
Ben drew himself up and smiled.
"I asked him how his lordship was, and whether his lordship'd take anything."
"And did he, Ben?" asked his father eagerly.
"Rather! He was just as affable as you like. I got on with him no end."
The little old gentleman turned away to his letters again to hide a gratified smile.
"Well, well, Ben, I suppose you must have it," he said leniently. "Young men will be young men. Only remember this, my boy—wherever you are, always keep an eye open for business. Never forget that."
Benjamin, junior, slapped his trousers pocket and grinned.