After they left, we sat with Jim and talked.
“Well, how do you like ’em?” said he.
“Why,” said Alice, “they’re very cordial.”
“Heterogeneous, eh?” he queried.
“Yes,” said she, “but very cordial. I am surprised to feel how little I dislike them.”
As for me, I began to look upon Lattimore with more favor. I began to catch Jim’s enthusiasm and share his confidence. As we smoked together in his rooms that evening, he made me the definite proposal that I go into partnership with him. We talked about the business, and discussed its possibilities.
“I don’t ask you to believe all my prophecies,” said he; “but isn’t the situation fairly good, just as it is?”
“I think well of it,” I answered, “and it’s mighty kind of you to ask me to come. I’ll go as far as to say that if it depends solely on me, we shall come. As for these prophecies of yours, I am in candor bound to say that I half believe them.”
“Now you are shouting,” said he. “Never better prophecies anywhere. But consider the matter aside from them. Then all we clean up in the prophecy department will be velvet, absolute velvet!”
“I can add something to the output of the prophecy department,” said Alice, when I repeated the phrase; “and that is that there will be some affairs of the heart mingled with the real estate and insurance before long. I can see them in embryo now.”