Brand simply nodded, and said "Yes." He was measuring his man. He thought his manner was a good deal too suave.
"But allow me to say, my dear Mr. Brand, that, as far I am concerned, there is no hurry. Have you given yourself time? It is a matter of moment; one should consider."
"I have considered."
His tone was firm: one would have thought he had never had any hesitation at all. But his decision had not been definitely arrived at until, some quarter of an hour before, he had met Ferdinand Lind face to face.
"I may say at once that I prefer to remain in my present grade."
He was watching Lind as he spoke. There was a slight, scarcely perceptible, movement of the eyebrows; that was all. The quiet courtesy of his manner remained undisturbed.
"That is your decision, then?" he said, just as if some trifling matter had been arranged.
"Perhaps I need not bother you with my reasons," Brand continued, speaking slowly and with precision, "but there are several."
"I have no doubt you have given the subject serious con
sideration," said Mr. Lind, without expressing any further interest or curiosity.