"You seem to have a newish lot of clubs."
"They're brand new, all of them. I bought them on purpose to come down here."
During the interval of silence which followed, Hollis stroked his moustache. I had an idea that he was smiling; though I did not know what at. I was not aware that I had said anything humorous.
"You seem to have a goodish few."
"I told the assistant at the shop to let me have everything that was requisite. I must admit that he seems to have interpreted my intentions in a generous spirit. I appear to have more clubs than you do. I don't know if that's an advantage or not."
Rather to my surprise Hollis stood still and turned to me.
"I say, you know, that friend of Pickard's has played."
"So I gathered."
"He's not a regular idiot."
"I thought you said he was."