He
was still at the Royal Exchange, but Mr. Pillsbury had come home, and
was standing with his back to a great fire, his coattails drawn under
either arm in front of him. A gleam of warmth appeared in his solemn
eyes at the sight of Robert.
"A fierce day, Master Robert," he said. "'Tis good at such a time to
stand before a red fire like this, and have stout walls between one
and the storm."
"Spoken truly, Master Jonathan," said Robert, as he joined him before
the fire, and imitated his position.
"You have been to our new city library? We are quite proud of it."
"Yes, I was there, but I have also been thinking a little."
"Thought never hurts one. We should all be better if we took more
thought upon ourselves."
"I was thinking of a man whom we saw at the play last night, the
merchant, Adrian Van Zoon."
Master Jonathan let his coattails fall from under his arms, and then
he deliberately gathered them up again.
"A wealthy and powerful merchant. He has ships on many seas."
"I have inferred that Mr. Hardy does not like him."
"Considering my words carefully, I should say that Mr. Hardy does not
like Mr. Van Zoon and that Mr. Van Zoon does not like Mr.
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