“I’m sure Ken isn’t very interested in your family just now,” Lou broke in.
“My family,” Burris said with dignity, “is a very interesting family.”
“I’m sure it must be,” Lou said demurely. Sir Lewis choked with laughter suddenly and began waving his pipe. After a minute, Malone joined in.
“Damn it,” Burris said. “Let’s stick to one thing or the other. Did I say that?”
“Twice,” Malone said.
“Sixty rooms,” Burris said. “All built by my family. And local contractors, of course. That’s enough to house sixty rooms full of people. And that number of people is a large houseful, I should think.”
“It sounds like a lot,” Malone said.
“It is a lot,” Burris said. “All in my house. The house my family built.”
“And we’re grateful for it,” Sir Lewis said soothingly. “We truly are.”
“Good,” Burris said.