“I’m not at liberty to state at present.”
“Then you’re not really your own master after all, but negotiating for other parties.”
“Not at all. As I told you, I represent no one but myself. But I don’t propose telling you what I expect to do with that ground; my ideas are worth something to me.”
“You rather imply that you don’t trust me;” and the old man smiled and drew his hand across his face.
“Not further,” said Balcomb, pleasantly, “than I could throw an elephant by the tail.”
The old man scrutinized Balcomb with new interest, drawing lines on a blotter with his pencil.
“You’re insulting,” he said, but without irritation.
“No,” said Balcomb, “I’m just frank. I’m merely saying to you what everybody else thinks. I make a point of being frank. I’ve found that it pays.”
“You’re evidently a very observing young man. You don’t consider that my reputation in the community is of the first order,—is that what you mean?” And the old man continued to make marks on the blotter.
“You’ve caught it exactly. I don’t recall just now that I ever heard any one say a good word for you. You asked the question and I have answered you.”