"Naturally," acquiesced the Englishman, staring blankly at the clerk. He lit a cigar and puffed it thoughtfully for about five minutes, then he exclaimed, "Extraordinary!"
"Beg pardon?" said the clerk.
"I find it most extraordinary."
"What are you referring to, Lord Canning?"
"I was referring to what you were telling me about this gentleman, of course!" Lord Canning pointed to Stillwater on the register.
"Oh!" laughed the clerk, amused that the facts he had given were still a matter for reflection. "Yes, he's one of our biggest capitalists out West. The family are generally here at this time of the year. The ladies have just arrived from Palm Beach."
"Palm Beach?"
"That's south, you know."
"Oh, a winter resort?"
"Exactly."