"We will go now," said Mr. Walton. "The clerks will close up. If you will walk as far as the Bowery, we will board a Fourth avenue car."
"Do you still live on Twelfth street, Nicholas?"
"Yes. Mrs. Walton urges me to take a house on Madison avenue, but I must not go too fast."
"You are prospering, I take it, Nicholas?"
"He is feeling his way toward a loan, I am afraid," thought the merchant.
"Yes, I am making headway," he admitted, warily, "but I have to be very cautious. Oftentimes I am short of money, I assure you. In fact, I am hampered by my small capital."
"My neighbors in Sunderland would be surprised to hear that," said Dr. Baker, smiling. "They look upon you as one of the merchant princes of New York."
"Do they?" said Walton, looking gratified. "Some day I hope to be what they think I am now."
"You will be, if you are not too much in haste."
"So I hope. And you, I hope you are prospering?" said the merchant, guardedly.