"This place is stiflingly hot," he said. "I'm afraid that's because you're not feeling very fit yet."
Mrs. Denton told him she could not get rid of her cold, and he had the tact to listen with a show of interest while she talked about her health.
"You will stay all night?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm sorry I must get back to-morrow."
"Then I've no doubt it's necessary," she remarked in a suggestive tone.
Mappin laughed as if he understood her.
"It is. As things are going, business must come first. Besides, I can't flatter myself that I gained much by my last visit."
"That's a point I can't speak upon, but you're not likely to lose your head. There's a cold-blooded, calculating vein in you. I wonder whether that was why you came straight to my room, though the society of a crotchety old invalid can't have much charm for you."
The man's heavy face grew a trifle redder than usual.
"No," he protested, "it wasn't. I'm not dirt mean."