ThefineoldgentlemanrevealedwhensheopenedthedoorwasprobablythelastgreatmerchantinAmericatowearthechinbeard。Whiteaswhitefrost，itwastrimmedshortwithexquisiteprecision，whilehisupperlipandthelowerexpansesofhischeekswerecleanandrosyfromfreshshaving。Withthistrimwhitechinbeard，thewhitewaistcoat，thewhitetie，thesuitoffinegraycloth，thebroadandbrilliantlypolishedblackshoes，andthewide-brimmedgrayfelthat，herewasamanwhohadfoundhisstyleintheseventiesofthelastcentury，andthenceforthkeptit。Filesofoldmagazinesofthatperiodmightshowhim，inwoodcut，as，\"TypeofBostonMerchant\"；Nastmighthavedrawnhimasanhoneststatesman。Hewaseighty，haleandsturdy，notaged；andhisquickblueeyes，stillunflecked，andasbriskasaboy\'s，saweverything。
\"Well，well，well!\"hesaid，heartily。\"Youhaven\'tlostanyofyourgoodlookssincelastweek，Isee，MissAlice，soIguessI\'mtotakeityouhaven\'tbeenworryingoveryourdaddy。Theyoungfeller\'sgettingalongallright，ishe？\"
\"He\'smuchbetter；he\'ssittingup，Mr。Lamb。Won\'tyoucomein？\"
\"Well，Idon\'tknowbutImight。\"Heturnedtocalltowardtwindisksoflightatthecurb，\"Beoutinaminute，Billy\"；andthesilhouetteofachauffeurstandingbesideacarcouldbeseentosaluteinresponse，astheoldgentlemansteppedintothehall。
\"Youdon\'tsupposeyourdaddy\'sreceivingcallersyet，ishe？\"