"I have all the time there is, but you may have your own plans."
That evening Oswald accepted an invitation to dine at his friend's elegant apartments. There were no other guests.
Claude learns that Oswald will not object to limited acquaintance with congenial people, and likes seeing objects of local interest.
They mingled quite freely with prominent male residents, and met not a few popular local celebrities of the gentler sex.
Though having no hint as to the nature of Oswald's troubles, Claude was most considerate. When shielding his friend from possible embarrassments, there was such apparent offhand frankness that for the time Oswald forgot former stresses. Even Claude's silences or evasive replies to questions about his friend's past life seemed casual inadvertence or preoccupation.
Claude Leslie had easy entrée to both business and social circles.
Oswald attributed gracious greetings and cordial welcomes to Claude's tact.
Doubtless he owed much to this source, but his own chastened manners, refined, brilliant conversation, suggestiveness of romantic interest, and good looks, were the most potent factors.
Among male acquaintances then formed were some prominent in business and politics. Oswald met young men who were social favorites in exclusive circles. Some of these soon afterward won robust renown at Las Guasimas and upon the slopes of San Juan.
Oswald's pensive reserve made him an interesting enigma to social belles. Claude jokingly remarked: