Edward Henry was angry. Strange though it may seem, the chief cause of his anger was the fact that his own manners and breeding were lower, coarser, clumsier, more brutal, than Mr. Wrissell's.
After what appeared to be a considerable absence Mr. Slosson, senior, returned into the room. Edward Henry, steeped in peculiar meditations, was repeating:
"What's that?" demanded Mr. Slosson with a challenge in his ancient but powerful voice.
"Now, sir," said Mr. Slosson, "we'd better come to an understanding about this so-called option. It's not serious, you know."
"I fancy it is--for me!" said Edward Henry.
"The premium mentioned is absurdly inadequate, and the ground-rent is quite improperly low."
"That's just why I look on it as commercial--from my point of view," said Edward Henry.
"It isn't worth the paper it's written on," said Mr. Slosson.
"Because, seeing the unusual form of it, it ought to be stamped, and it isn't stamped."
"Listen here, Mr. Slosson," said Edward Henry, "I want you to remember that you're talking to a lawyer."
"I was in the law for years," said Edward Henry. "And you know as well as I do that I can get the option stamped at any time by paying a penalty, which at worst will be a trifle compared to the value of the option."
"Ah!" Mr. Slosson paused, and resumed his puffing, which exercise--perhaps owing to undue excitement--he had pretermitted. "Then further, the deed isn't drawn up."
"Further, the option is not transferable."
"And the money ought to be paid down to-day, even on your own showing--every cent of it, in cash."
"Here is the money," said Edward Henry, drawing his pocketbook from his breast. "Every cent of it, in the finest brand of bank-notes!"
He flung down the notes with the impulsive gesture of an artist; then, with the caution of a man of the world, gathered them in again.
"The whole circumstances under which the alleged option is alleged to have been given would have to be examined," said Mr. Slosson.
"_I_ sha'n't mind," said Edward Henry; "others might."
"There is such a thing as undue influence."
"Miss Euclid is fifty if she's a day," replied Edward Henry.
"I don't see what Miss Euclid's age has to do with the matter."
"Then your eyesight must be defective, Mr. Slosson."