“I think it’s absolutely mar velous, and, with it all, he’s just as modest as he can be. He hardly ever talks about his work. He feels that Henry isn’t interested in it. I’ll bet you don’t even know about their latest strike, Henry, or what Bob—”
“I have enough business at the office,” Henry interrupted.
“But you should get together more with Bob. You know, after all, in his position as president of the Foreclosed Farms Underwriters Company, Bob has opportunities to learn a lot of what’s going on in the business world. Some of that knowledge might prove very valuable to you, Henry.”
“Yes, my love, but I’m too tired when I get home to talk business.”
She sighed. “Oh, you businessmen! Bob is the same way. You just can’t get a word out of him.”
“Where is he now?” I asked.
“Down in the billiard room with his sales manager, Parker Stold.”
Ashbury nodded to me. “Come on, Lam. We’ll go meet Bob and Stold.”
I said conventional things to Mrs. Ashbury, and she took my hand and held it for a minute. When I got away, Henry Ashbury led the way down a long corridor, down a flight of stairs, and into another corridor. I could see a playroom on one side, with a long Ping-pong table. On the other side was a room from which came the click of balls and a mumble of conversation.
Ashbury opened the door. A man who had been getting ready to make a shot, with one hip on the table, climbed down and said “Hello, Governor,” to Ashbury.