I expected to meet a friend on the train,
but something must have delayed him, and so I should have been
left alone."
"I suppose a part of your time will be given to business?"
suggested Luke.
"Yes, but I take things easy; when I work, I work. I can
accomplish as much in a couple of hours as many would do in
a whole day. You see, I understand my customers. When soft
sawder is wanted, I am soft sawder. When I am dealing with a
plain, businesslike man, I talk in a plain, businesslike way.
I study my man, and generally I succeed in striking him for an
order, even if times are hard and he is already well stocked."
"He certainly knows how to talk," thought Luke. In fact,
he was rather disposed to accept Mr. Coleman at his own
valuation, though that was a very high one.
"Do you smoke?"
"Not at all."
"Not even a cigarette?"
"Not even a cigarette."
"I was intending to ask you to go with me into the smoking-
car for a short time. I smoke a good deal; it is my only vice.
You know we must all have some vices."
Luke didn't see the necessity, but he assented, because it
seemed to be expected.
"I won't be gone long.
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