As he said this, he arose and wheeled an easy-chair to the other side of the table.
The elderly gentleman sat down.
“You have a very cheerful apartment here, Mr. Bangs.”
“Yes. I always like to be comfortable.”
“Of course,” said the elderly gentleman.
“Will you remove your overcoat, sir?” asked Mr. Bixby, and immediately repented it.
“Oh, no, I shall stop but a moment.”
There was an interval of silence. A block of coal broke open in the grate and fell apart. A jet of gas burst forth and burned, then sputtered and went out. Mr. Bixby wondered on what business he had come, and why he did not open the subject at once, if he was only intending to stop a moment.
“It is very disagreeable weather out,” said the man with the pompous forelock, interrupting his reflections.
“Snowing?” asked Bixby.