“He is thought to be.”
“How did he gain his wealth?”
“He has been connected with mines, banks, real estate speculations, and, in fact, with whatever has money in it. He is something of a politician, and I hear that he hopes some day to go to Congress. In fact, he is a pushing man, and likely to make his influence felt.”
“Is his son like him?”
“He will never be as popular as his father. General Wall may be as selfish as his son, but he is too wise to show it as openly. John is disagreeable by nature. He wouldn’t trouble himself to appear agreeable.”
“From what I saw of him,” said Walter, “I should think it would be a good deal of trouble for him to be agreeable.”
“I have no doubt you got the correct impression of him. I like him as little as any of my scholars.”
While they were thus speaking, General Wall opened the front door of his house, and they met him at a short distance from his front gate. He bowed, as Walter thought, with an air of condescension, and said to the teacher, “Good-morning, Mr. Barclay. You are taking an early walk, I see.”
“Not very early, sir. I always take a short walk before school.”
“And how is the school? Is John getting on well with his Latin?”