"I quite understand," I responded, "and I only admire you that you do not, like so many other rich men, lead a life of easy indolence."
"I can't do that," he said; "it isn't in me to be still. I must be at work, or I'm never happy. Only I have to be discreet for Gerald's sake," and the old millionaire smiled, though rather sadly, I thought.
CHAPTER VI
PLACES ME IN A PREDICAMENT
"I think him a most sociable old fellow," I answered, in response to Ulrica's inquiry when we returned to the hotel.
"But awfully eccentric," she said. "Gerald always complains that he finds it impossible to make both ends meet upon his allowance."
"He may surely be forgiven that," I said. "After all, he's an excellent type of the prosperous worker."
"He showed you his ivory-turning, I suppose?" she observed, with a slight sneer. "I see he's given you a puff-box."
"Yes, he turned it while I waited."
"It's really absurd," she declared, "that a man of his enormous means should still continue to work as he does. Gerald tells me that he has secret workshops in all his houses, and spends the greater part of his time in turning, just as any workman would do. No doubt he's a bit wrong in the head. His wealth has crushed him."