"Won't you take off your ulster?" I said.
Without a word, he divested himself of the heavy coat, and placing his hat upon it, looked at me steadily again.
He might have been Adam in As You Like It. He was doubtless very old, but he was ruddy and hale. His eyes were bright and piercing, and I noticed that they were largely shaded by heavy white eyebrows. His hair, also, was thick and white and glossy. A kindly-looking old man he was, but alert, capable, strong.
"There," I said, pointing to a chair. "Sit down, and tell me what you have to say."
"Do you know you are standing on a powder magazine?"
The words came from his mouth like a shot, so tersely, so suddenly did he speak.
"Do you speak literally or metaphorically?"
"Maybe both," was his reply.
"Anyhow, it hasn't exploded yet," was my answer. "Won't you sit down?"
"You are very cool."