The stranger's shrewd eyes twinkled, but he was otherwise unmoved.
"Perhaps you're right," he mumbled, still plying his toothpick. "Anyway, I'm glad you're not a worm." He drew a large business card from his pocket and held it out. "Come to me if you ever want a man's job."
Nelton took the card and held it out as though he had been petrified in the act. His bulging eyes watched the stranger as he sauntered leisurely back to his seat, then they turned to Lewis.
"What do you think of that?" they asked.
Lewis held out his hand for the card and glanced at the name.
"Nelton," he said, "you've made a mistake. Better go over and tell the old boy you've reconsidered his proposition. I'll fix it up with dad. You'll be able to retire in three years."
"Master Lewis," said Nelton, gravely, "there's lots of people besides you and the governor that thinks we serving-men says 'Yes, sir, thank you, sir,' to any one for the syke of a guinea a week and keep. Now you and the stout party eating the toothpick over yonder knows better."
CHAPTER L
On the following day, while Leighton and Lewis were sorting out their things and Nelton was packing, Leighton said:
"Nelton, you'd better go back to London with Mr. Lewis."