Idismissedtheungenerousthought。Perhapsheisrich,ashesays。Wedohearofmunificentdonationsbybenevolentmillionairesnowandthen。WhatifthisAustralian,attractedbythegloriesoftheoldcathedral,shouldnowappearasadeusexmachinatoreendowthechoir,ortofoundamusicalprofessoriateinconnectionwiththechoir,appointingmethefirstoccupantoftheprofessorialchair?
Thesethoughtsflashedacrossmymindinthemomentarypauseofhisfluenttongue。
“Asforyourself,sir,“hebeganagain,“IhavesomethingtoproposewhichItrustmaynotproveunwelcome。Butthepublicstreetishardlyasuitableplacetodiscussmyproposal。MayI
calluponyouthiseveningatyourhouseintheclose?Iknowwhichitis,forIhappenedtoseeyougointoityesterdayafterthemorningservice。”
“Ishallbeverypleasedtoseeyou,“Ireplied。“Wearegoingouttodinnerthisevening,butIshallbeathomeanddisengagedtillaboutseven。”