Mr. Winslow forced as much external composure as was possible, and then descended to the parlor.
“Mr. Davis,” he said on entering.
“Mr. Winslow,” returned the visitor, taking the merchant’s hand and grasping it warmly.
As the two men sat down together, the one addressed as Mr. Davis, said—
“I was sorry to learn a little while ago, that you will lose by this failure in Rio.”
“Heavily. It has ruined me!” replied Mr. Winslow.
“Not so bad as that I hope!” said Mr. Davis.
“Yes. It has removed the last prop that I leaned on, Mr. Davis. The very last one, and now the worst must come to the worst. It is impossible for me to take up fifteen thousand dollars worth of returned drafts.”
“Fifteen thousand is the amount?”
“Yes.”