The visitor smiled, an odd smile, neither of bitterness nor yet of amusement.
“Not inclined particularly to brag on his faculty, the dean, I gather?” returned Armstrong.
The older man straightened. Out of kindness he would retreat so far; but if pursued—
“No, he barely mentioned the faculty, as I remember.”
“Not even the professor of chemistry?”
The horn-rimmed glasses had left their owner’s nose and, as they had a way of doing when the old man was abstracted, swung like a pendulum from his fingers.
“Not even the professor of chemistry?” repeated Armstrong. 150
Very quietly the older man held his ground, very steadily.
“Just what is it you wish to know, Steve?” he asked directly. “You gathered, of course, it was a board meeting I referred to—and confidential naturally. I think I need say no more.”
“No, no more, certainly. I was merely curious to know if you knew. You’ve satisfied my curiosity, I believe.”