"What is known of this man? You say he has been only a few months in Richmond?"
"That is all. I believe he has spent most of his life in South America. For a while he was in a gold mine, and he was for a while a farmer, I think."
"And what brought him back to England? South America is a fine place--that is, parts of it--if you are any good and have an opening. What did he come back to England for? Has he made his fortune?"
"I don't think he has made his fortune. He is not an old man, not even middle-aged. He is almost young--not more than thirty-five or so."
"Then why did he come back, and what is he losing months of his time in England for--at his time of life, too, when he ought to be working his hardest?"
"I don't know exactly. I think he has found some plant in the llanos out of which he can make cloth, and has come over about starting a company and taking out a patent. He says the plant is more valuable than flax or wool or cotton."
"Or all together?"
"Yes, I think he said that, but I am not sure. I haven't a good memory for this sort of thing."
"Kitty?"
"Well?"