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THE real estate agent was voluble in the extreme. He was a plump, dapper, self-important little man, not unmindful of the honor that had fallen upon him in the handling of so important a piece of property as that now under discussion. His volubility did not always bear directly upon the subject in hand, but that did not greatly matter, since the price had been named and in three minutes they would be on their way for a careful inspection of the fine old Tudor house and parklike grounds.
Stannard was doing his best not to look pleased; he meant to be diplomatic in the matter and betray no surprize at what he considered the extreme reasonableness of the price. He did not wish to appear too obviously satisfied, but his elation over the prospective purchase betrayed itself in spite of himself.
Fenton, who had accompanied Stannard as interested friend and adviser, was leaning forward in an attitude of absorbed and flattering attention while the real estate agent talked. Fenton had a round, childlike countenance expressing such extreme good humor that it was inevitably expected of him that he should remain polite and attentive when others' patience had worn a bit thin. Accordingly Fenton listened and Stannard reflected, and as he reflected, the expression of surprize and pleasure he had made so futile an effort to conceal, gradually diminished of its own accord. Presently he interrupted, sharply and without apology.
"The fact is," he asserted, "it is the very reasonableness of the price asked that makes me hesitate. It would almost suggest that there might be something undesirable about the place."
The real estate agent stooped to remove a thread from his boot laces and examined it long and critically before he saw fit to respond almost reproachfully, "As we are about to make an exhaustive inspection of the place this very morning, you will have ample opportunity to decide that for yourself. Personally, I may say that it is in my estimation the most absolutely desirable property in the state, and did it fall to me to decide whether or no it should be my purchase, the decision would take but a short time, sir."
"True," returned Stannard dryly. "But there are occasionally matters which do not appear on a casual inspection."
