XXXV
Later that day, Jeroloman, the attorney for the other side, who at the time had no idea that there was another side, or any side at all, entered the rotunda and asked for Dunwoodie.
In asking, he removed his hat, glanced at its glisten, put it on again. The hat was silk. It topped iron grey hair, steel-blue eyes, a turn-under nose, a thin-lipped mouth, a pointed chin, a stand-up collar, a dark neckcloth, a morning coat, grey gloves, grey trousers, drab spats and patent-leather boots. These attributes gave him an air that was intensely respectable, equally tiresome. One pitied his wife.
"This way, sir."
In the inner and airy office, Dunwoodie nodded, motioned at a chair.
"Ha! Very good of you to trouble."
Jeroloman, seating himself, again removed his hat. Before he could dispose of it, Dunwoodie was at him.
"Young Paliser's estate. In round figures what does it amount to?"
Jeroloman, selecting a safe place on the table, put the hat on it and answered, not sparringly, there was nothing to spar about, but with civil indifference: "Interested professionally?"