"How the deuce does Stewart run it?" asked Fenton, looking after them; "he can't get much salary at old Lazarus' place."
"Case of God tempering the wind to the shorn lamb," said Slingsby ironically.
"Hang it, I don't think he ought to be a member of the Club, a confounded pawnbroker's clerk."
"It is rather a topsy-turvy business, ain't it; but you see, in the colonies Jack's as good as his master."
"And in some cases a deal better," said Pelk, referring to the relative positions of Malton and Fenton.
"Particularly when Jack's got a pretty wife," finished Toltby significantly.
Fenton knew this was a hint at his penchant for Mrs. Malton, but he did not very well see how he could take it to himself, particularly when he saw every one smiling, so he smiled back saturninely at the circle.
"You're devilish witty, boys," he said coldly; "guess the wine has sharpened your brains."
As he strolled away in his usual cool manner, Slingsby looked after him.
"Our friend's hard hit over Mrs. Malton," he said at length.